Karate Canada – Hamburg, September 26^th, 2016 – Over the weekend, Canadian National Team Roster members were in Hamburg for the German Open K-1 Championships, which were held from September 23^rd-25^th. The Canadian delegation included 23 athletes, accompanied by three coaches and three officials. A total of 1172 athletes from 273 clubs around the world competed in this event. This weekend event saw a number of spirited performances on the part of Canadian athletes, including two top-10 finishes.

In women’s kata, Monika Klisara, of Ontario, won her first two matches before losing to Italian opponent Eva Ferracuti, while Rita Ngo, of British Columbia, won her first two matches before losing to Czech opponent Zuzana Augustinova. Daphné Trahan-Perreault of Quebec achieved a victory in repechage against Diana Benjumea Hernandez of Colombia, and ultimately placed 11^th in the division.

In women’s kumite, Tina Smith-Desrosiers, of Quebec won her first three matches in the -55kg division, losing eventually to Sara Yamada of Japan. In the -61kg category, Kamille Desjardins, of Quebec won her first two matches, before losing to Hoda Moshraf of Egypt. Camélie Boisvenue, of Quebec, lost to eventual silver medallist Ayumi Uekusa in the +68kg category, coming back with a victory in repechage, earning a 9^th-place finish.

In men’s kumite, Nicolas Bisson, of Quebec, lost to eventual gold medallist Douglas Brose, and ultimately placed 11^th in repechage in the -60kg division. In the -84kg category, Sarmen Sinani, from Ontario, won his first two matches, lost to Jus Markus of Slovenia. Daniel Gaysinsky, of Ontario, won his first three matches in the +84kg division before losing to eventual gold medallist Asiman Gurbanli of Azerbaijan; during repechage, he achieved a 7^th-place finish.

The German Open is an important preparation event on the road to the upcoming Senior World Championships, which will take place next month in Linz, Austria. Canadian karate athletes’ long-term sights are currently set on the next summer Olympic Games, taking place in Tokyo 2020.

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.