It’s been an impressive and productive 12 months for the South Delta Kyokushin Karate.
The long-running not-for-profit club saw instructors and athletes make some significant achievements in testing and on the competitive mats.
It began last August when Sempai Rob Sonnenberg challenged for his Nindan (2nd degree) black belt and was successful.
In November, Sempai Rob and Sensei Mike Sandford travelled to Tokyo, Japan to attend the International Kyokushinkaikan Karate (IKO) intensive training course where Sensei Mike successfully passed his Yondan (4th degree black bet).
In March, Sensei Mike and Sempai Rob took six competitors to the Calgary Cup where they combined to finish second overall and secure six placings.
Two months later, it was the 2023 Canadian Championships where the South Delta dojo was well-represented and thrived on the national stage with 40 placings to finish first overall. The outstanding showing was led by Hailey Hana who not only won her 13-and-14-year-old division in Kata and contact fighting but also captured the spirit and technical awards.
This month, Sempai Scott Sommers challenged and secured his Sandan (3rd degree black belt).
Here are the medal winners from the Canadian Championships:
Contact
12 and under (50 lbs and under): Joshua Skovgaard (bronze).
12 and under (51-60 lbs): Wyatt Cha (bronze).
12 and under (61-70 lbs): Ariyana Lalli (silver), Kyla Beatch (bronze).
12 and under (71-80 lbs): Connor Vohora (gold), Leanne Hijazki (silver), Jilliane Molabola (bronze).
12 and under (81-90 lbs): Kairi Stone-Kaiho (gold).
12 and under (101 lbs and over): Iris Stone-Kaiho (bronze), Rylan Beatch (bronze).
Men’s 13-to-14: Paulo Barros (gold).
Men’s 15-to-16: Peyton Brosinski (gold), Jermaine Hein (bronze).
Men’s 35-and-over lightweight: Mark Stone (bronze).
Women’s 13-14: Hailey Hanna (gold), Noor Hijazi (bronze).
Women’s 35 and over: Cynthia Beatch (silver).
Non-Contact
12 and under lightweight: Ariyana Lalli (gold), Warrick Cha (silver), Azaria Lalli (bronze).
12 and under middleweight: Kyla Beatch (gold), Wyatt Cha (bronze).
12 and under heavyweight: Megan Lewendon (gold), Leanne Hijazi (silver), Ryan Beatch (bronze), Jilliane Molabola (bronze).
13-to-16-years-old: Peyton Brosinski (gold), Noor Hijazi (silver), Paulo Barros (bronze), Harashri Reddy (bronze).
17 year and over open: Neel Vohora (gold), Cynthia Beatch (silver).
Kata
9-to-12: Kyla Beatch (silver), Megan Lewendon (bronze).
White belt: Kaitlyn Smit (gold).
Orange belt: Cynthia Beatch (silver), Rylan Beatch (bronze).
Blue belt: Hailey Hanna (gold), Noor Hijazi (silver).
Green belt: Jeramie Hein (silver).
For more on South Delta Kyokushin Karate, including registration information visit sdkarate.ca.
