Karate BC hosted its 40th anniversary provincial championships this weekend at the Richmond oval in Richmond and athletes from Campbell River Shito-Ryu attended with impressive results.
In the recreational category held on Saturday Zasi and Christina Tsymshychin competed and both achieved a personal best in their respective category. Zasi in the 8-9 intermediate and Christina in the 10-11 advanced division. Neither came out with a medal but were happy to achieve their PB.
In the girls 12-13 novice division Lucy Vi received a silver medal in kata, and, not to be outdone, her sister received a silver medal in kata and a gold in kumite. Julia Beaton received a silver for kata and a silver in kumite. David Jordan Laing competed in the adult mens intermediate division and came out with a silver in kata.
Also on Saturday, a standout for this tournament was Cody Chamberlin who competed in the 12-13 advanced (brown black) kata and kumite (sparring) division. Chamberlin recently competed in the BC Winter Games and didn’t medal but was motivated to improve. He was rewarded on Saturday with a 5th place in kata and a gold medal in kumite. You couldn’t wipe the grin off his face or off his proud parents faces either.
Club karate instructor Roy Tippenhauer said, “I was so impressed by Cody’s work ethic over the last couple of months. Coming from winter games and not placing motivated him to improve and he certainly did that. I don’t emphasize winning as our goal but rather personal best. He did that. Congrats to Cody”
On Sunday, the B.C team preliminary tryouts were held with four people from Campbell River Shito Ryu competing.
Casey Brake, Calen Osstrosser, Antonia Bellefluer and Valerie Doyon competed with impressive results.
Brake unfortunately didnt make the team as she was ill and couldn’t reach her personal best at this tournament.
Osstrosser competed in the 14-15 kumite (sparring) division fighting to a bronze medal. He had also recently competed at the BC Winter Games in the 12-13 division and had moved up to the 14-15 division for this tournament.
Bellefluer competed in the 16-17 brown black kata and kumite division and received a 3rd place finish in kata. She lost her final match and placed 5th in the kumite division.
Doyon competed in the 16-17 kata and minus 59 kg kumite division placing third in the kumite division and third in the kata division beside Antonia. In this kumite division, Karate BC has three athletes who were top five at the Karate Canada National championships held earlier this year with Doyon taking a silver at that event. On Sunday, Doyon made her way through the draw and faced her rival Lee Shalene behind whom she placed at the national championships. She fought a fabulous fight pushing Shalene to her limit. Doyon lost the match and settled for a much deserved bronze. Doyon also challenged up in the 18-20 black belt division where she got gold in the kumite division.
Advancing to the BC team squad from Campbell River Shito Ryu are Osstrosser, Bellefluer and Doyon, final selection will take place in the fall. Doyon will be heading to Lima, Peru this August for the PKF pan american karate Pan Am championships.
Next year will be the Campbell River Shito Ryu’s 30th anniversary with Sensei Roy Tippenhauer starting the club in 1985. A tournament will be held on Oct. 18 to celebrate this event. Many students have gone on to national and international tournaments and have travelled all around the world with karate tournaments.
“I would also like to congratulate all the Karate BC athletes from other clubs in Campbell River who attended this tournament. Vancouver Island is a powerhouse for karate talent and the club instructors are doing a great job with their groups,” said Sensei Tippenhauer who is Vancouver Island karate Society head coach.