Banff Kyokushin Karate Club recently won some hardware at the Calgary Cup Karate Championship held at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary on March 17.
The club sent 18 competitors to participate, with seven of its members placing in the top three in their respective categories; two of its members placed first.
According to second degree black belt and head instructor Daymon Miller, each of the matches is like running a sprint. Fights only last two minutes, but combatants try and knock each other out of the ring, or strike blows which score points for the fighter.
“If your competition is in the knockdown division … I get them to commit psychologically two months in advance. It’s not a decision you can make unprepared. You can’t train for a week prior to a tournament and be ready; you have to start this process a long time before,” said Miller.
“If the students haven’t made that commitment early, regardless of age, the results are dramatically different than if they have made that commitment.”
In his third tournament appearance, Francois Pace, 45, captured first place in the senior men’s division for the first time. The senior men’s division had eight competitors with competitors being over 35.
“First year was hospital, second year was second place, this year was first place, so it’s pretty exciting,” said Pace.
“Getting ready for this tournament, the two months beforehand was five or six days a week, two days in the dojo and then at home training. Sensei Daymon always says the hardest part is walking through the door.”
Pace fought three times during the tournament en route to capture first place.
Francois’s son, Xavier Pace, also participated in the tournament, placing third in the 12 and under, 55-pounds and under category.
The seven year-old Pace enjoyed the tournament, particularly winning a large trophy.
Smaller children have a limited strike area, as well as extensive padding when fighting to minimize the chance of injury. For Xavier, the best part of fighting is being able to strike at an opponent, but he would like to work on dodging the strikes sent his way.
“The students that participated represented our dojo very well. I’m very proud,” said Miller. “This tournament is a professional tournament, you’re under bright lights in a massive gymnasium at SAIT and when you go out there, it’s just you when demonstrating or you and your opponent.
“In a team sport you have your team, with this it’s just you and everything you put into it either pays off or it doesn’t,” said Miller.
Full Banff Results
Non-Contact:
Emily Palmer placed second in ages 4-6.
Xavier Pace, tied for third in 12 years and under, 55 pounds and under
Sabrina Boehnisch, tied for third in 12 years and under, 55 pounds and under
Leya Daniel, tied for third in 12 years and under, 56-75 pounds
Knockdown:
Daiki Uda placed third in 10-12 Years, 61-70 pounds.
Andrian Yury Jean Guilhon placed first in 10-12 years, 100 pounds and over.
Clay Milne placed second in men 13-14 Yyears, middleweight/
Francois Pace placed first in senior men.
