Three Top-10 Finishes in Paris for Canadian Karateka

Paris, January 27^th, 2020 – Over the weekend, Canadian National Team Roster members were in Paris, France, for the 2020 edition of the Paris Premier League K1, which were held from January 24^th-26^th. The Canadian delegation included 8 athletes, accompanied by three coaches. A total of 741 athletes from 93 countries around the world competed in this event. This weekend event saw a number of spirited performances on the part of Canadian athletes, with three top-10 finishes.

In the -68kg Women’s Kumite division, Melissa Bratic went undefeated in her first four rounds, winning her pool; after losing in semi-finals, she went to repechage and was defeated by Alisa Buchinger of Austria, placing 5^th. In the -61kg division, Haya Jumaa won her first two matches, losing to eventual silver medallist Xiaoyan Yin of China; in repechage, she was defeated by Ayami Moriguchi of Japan, finishing in 7^th place.

In women’s kata, Rita Ngo progressed through the first two rounds, placing 5^th in the third round to finish in 9^th place overall.

The 2020 Paris Premier League K1 is an important preparation event on the road to the next summer Olympic Games, taking place in Tokyo 2020. Next up for the Senior National Karate Team will be the Dubai Premier League K1 taking place from February 13^th-15^th.

About Karate Canada:

Karate Canada is a not-for-profit corporation constituted under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act, with the objective of describing and incorporating all activities related to the promotion, organization, regulation and popularization of the sport of karate all over Canada, of protecting the physical and emotional health of athletes, and of promoting the interests of karate throughout Canada. Karate Canada and its 10 member Provincial and Territorial Associations assemble roughly 16,000 participants nationwide. Furthermore, Karate Canada is a proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, the World Karate Federation and the Pan American Karate Federation. See more at www.karatecanada.org. Karate Canada is funded in part by the government of Canada, via its Ministry for Canadian Heritage.