During his first trip to the karate nationals in 2009, Campbell River’s Kyell Erickson came home empty-handed.
However, the 15-year-old did leave with experience which proved invaluable on March 24-28, in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, were he earned two bronze medals.
Competing in the cadet 14-15 advanced/black belt division, Erickson placed third in kumite (sparring) and helped Team B.C. to a bronze in team sparring.
Earning the two bronze was great for Erickson, but if he had placed first or second, he would have qualified for Team Canada which is heading to the Pan American Championships in Brazil in September.
Erickson started karate at the age of four at the Shito-ryu Club on 9th Avenue. The club is instructed by Roy Tippenhauer.