Seven locals qualify for national karate team

Seven locals are looking to take their skills to a global level after a very successful showing at the national championships.

The seven took part in the Canadian National Sport Karate Championships held in Hull, Quebec last weekend. The event is sanctioned by the World Karate Association and the International Amateur Kickboxing Sport Association.

Based on their performances at the event, John Reid, Dylan Fryia, Randi-Lynn Raynor, ZZ Bryant, Alan Spurr, Matthew Clement and Korrie Young qualified for Team Canada at the upcoming World Championships.

The world event will be held in Basel, Switzerland in September.

Reid led the local contingent with a strong showing in a number of events in the +35 Men's category. Reid captured first in Weapons, second in the 81 Kg Continuous Sparring, third in Traditional Forms and fourth in the 81 Kg Point Sparring events.

Fryia also put forth a first place finish in the Men's Korean Forms. Fryia added a second place showing in the Men's 60 Kg Points Sparring and fourth in Men's Weapons.

Raynor captured the girls 13-17 years Korean Forms and added a second place finish in the 55 Kg Point Sparring. Bryant won the Girls 13-17 Soft Style Forms.

Spurr finished second in the Men's Soft Style Forms and sixth in the +35 Men's Traditional Forms while Clement finished third in the Men's 60 Kg Point Sparring and Men's Soft Style Forms.

Young placed fourth in the +35 Men's 81 Kg Continuous Sparring event.

While all seven have qualified for the World Championships, Reid notes that sponsors are desperately needed in order for the members to travel and compete in Switzerland.

PHOTO: +35 Men's Weapons Forms participants (from left) Jamie Van Der Meer, John Reid and Clint Leung. (All photos are courtesy of Melanie Robson)