SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I.—British Columbia’s Ella Crowle and Quebec’s Anton Gurin will fly out of Prince Edward Island on top of the nation after winning the final karate kumite gold medals of the 2023 Canada Winter Games on Thursday.

Victoria’s Ella Crowle went unbeaten in her four matches to handily win the women’s +59kg weight class.

“I feel on top of the world. I just feel great and I’m super proud of myself to be able to win today,” said the 17-year-old Crowle. “I have had a few setbacks over the last year, but I put a lot of hard work into this and I’m happy with how it went. I’m so grateful to my coaches and everyone who supported me.”

Crowle knocked off Quebec’s Justine St-Jean in the gold medal final 3-1.

Ontario’s Victoria Tam took the bronze medal after dropping a 4-0 outcome to Crowle in the semifinals.   Alberta’s Maisie Rathwell grabbed the other bronze after falling 1-0 to St-Jean in the other semi.

Quebec’s Anton Gurin was dominant in the men’s side of the draw. The 17-year-old dusted his opponents one-by-one until facing his toughest match of the day in the final against Alberta’s Omar Almishri.

The two heavyweights exchanged kicks and punches in a spirited battle while bouncing around the Tatami in the Multi-Sport Dome. The Quebecer won by decision after the match ended 2-2.

“I feel tired, but I feel great,” said Gurin minutes after stepping off the Tatami following his sixth and final bout. “I’ve had such a long road to get here. I worked so hard and I’m really happy to be the champion.”

Calgary’s Almishri takes home the silver. Nova Scotia’s Saad Eldlio and British Columbia’s James Joss both leave with bronze medals.

The +59kg and +68kg competitions mark the end of karate’s debut at the Canada Winter Games that welcomed nearly 100 athletes, coaches and officials in Summerside, P.E.I. for kata and kumite competitions.

British Columbia was the top province, winning 10 medals including four gold, over the four days of competition. Alberta and Nova Scotia athletes each combined for six medals while Quebec had five podium finishes and Ontario three.

“It was a fantastic event for karate’s first ever time at the Canada Winter Games,” said Craig Vokey, President, Karate Canada, who presented the first ever medals. “On a personal note, this has fulfilled a dream that started in 2011, and after a dedicated amount of work, we have achieved this goal for the karateka across the country.”

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Chris Dornan

Karate Canada

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E-mail: communications@karatecanada.org