Bonnyville Karate-Do hosts rare tournament with sterling results

The tournament hosted by Bonnyville Karate-Do at the C2 on Saturday. 

Several dojos from Alberta and Saskatchewan came together for a tournament at the Bonnyville & District Centennial Centre on Saturday.

On a snowy, poor travel day, well over 100 karate students still competed at the event hosted by Bonnyville Karate-Do, while some due to poor conditions elected to stay home.

From Wilkie, Saskatchewan to Calgary, and Lakeland communities in between, many came to be tested, said Sensei Carry Grant.

“We’ve got well over 45 black belts here to help officiate and referee. It’s been a super turnout on a terrible day,” Grant told Lakeland Connect.

Karate is a traditional martial art that came out of Japan from the 1300s, and has become one of the most popular martial arts in the world.

Bonnyville’s karate club has a total of 59 active members this year, back up to the marks they were seeing before COVID.

A total of 43 martial artists from Bonnyville competed, winning 16 gold, 23 silver, and 21 bronze medals.

“The biggest thing is once they’ve signed up and gone up to the line, really all I expect is they do their best. We encourage the students to feel good about having the courage to step in there and do their events, and try.

“If you try, eventually in karate, you’ll get better. It’s taken me 35 years,” said Grant.

Particularly with the junior categories, competitors are separated by skills levels (belts), as well as age and size, into divisions.

Between the Bonnyville, Cold Lake, and St. Paul clubs, they get the opportunity host this tournament once every three years, so it takes nine years for the tournament to come back to town.

Generally, competitors get the opportunity to go to 2-3 big tournaments throughout the year, with some local ones added into the mix as well.

St. Paul Karate-Do also had a strong showing, with 14 gold medals, 12 silver, and eight bronze. Cold Lake earned three silver medals.

WATCH: RE/MAX Minor Sport of the Month with Sensei Grant of Bonnyville Karate-Do