In early December at Olympic Karate Academy, we held our annual children’s Tournament of Champions. Children could participate in three events: kata presentation, free sparring, and fitness evaluation. The Tournament is a great way for kids to use their martial arts skills in a safe and controlled environment, as well as to see how they stack up against their peers. Healthy competition is what grows success and allows people to achieve more by pushing past their limits.
We are very proud of everyone who competed. A very special congratulations goes to our top two divisions of Advanced Belts and Jr. Black Belts. The students in those divisions have been training for over two years, and based on their performances it showed! The level of quality and sportsmanship was exemplary. Special shout-outs go to Jude Baguley (for creating his own Knife Kata), Maximus Boyce (for his outstanding traditional Kempo Kata Suwari), Alan Cousins (for his sportsmanship and kindness as he congratulated and high-fived his classmates as they presented), and to the Patterson family with ‘three-peat’ Grand Champion Carter Patterson winning three firsts and his younger sister, Mackenzie, getting first in Kata.
Carter took first place in all events for the second tournament in a row, and he did so with skill and courtesy. You’d never hear him boast or showboat about his wins. In fact, the only thing that gives his success away is a subtle smile when asked, ‘So, how did you do in the tournament, Carter?’ …
www.olympickarate.on.ca
Submitted by Olympic Karate
