Shogun Martial Arts Academy students took their talents to Smithers earlier this month for the World Karate and Kickboxing Council Provincial Championships.
A qualifier for the WKC nationals in Ottawa during the May Long weekend, 10 out of 12 local martial artists earned a berth at the event, held April 8.
“It was a good learning experience for all who competed regardless of whether they placed or not,” Shogun Martial Arts Academy Sensei Lee-Ann Lainchbury said.
“A few were first-time competitors and all did well.”
Of note, Lee-Ann said first-time competitors Charlie Casselton and Jeff Obexer showed heart, both competing in point fighting and kata, choreographed patterns of martial arts movements.
Other athletes included Dominic Baird, Raiden Lainchbury, Jeremy Munroe, Kayla Oerlemans, Isaac Lauren, Macy Lainchbury, Liam Lauren, Micah Vogt, Josh Rutherford and Kai Richardson.
Baird brought home the gold medal in point fighting, while Raiden claimed silver medals in both point fighting and continuous fighting.
Munroe, in the creative weapons category and point fighting, won gold, while also taking fourth in kata.
In her division, Oerlemans worked her way to a gold medal in point fighting, and also a gold medal in kata.
Isaac was also a double gold medalist winning in point fighting and kata.
Macy, meanwhile, rounded up the gold medal in kata. Liam matched his brother, Isaac’s, achievement fighting to gold medals in kata and point fighting.
Vogt won two silvers in point fighting and continuous fighting, Rutherford battled to gold in point fighting and continuous fighting and Richardson claimed gold medals in point fighting and kata, and a bronze medal in creative weapons.
Lee-Ann said everyone gave their best at the tournament, noting of the 10 who qualified for nationals, five will be able to attend for various reasons including schedule constraints.