Kenzen Karate athletes from Victoria won 8 medals at the Canadian National Karate Championships, with several qualifying for the Pan-American Championships, and one crowned a new National Karate Champion!
VICTORIA - Ten athletes from Kenzen Karate competed at the 2025 Karate Canada National Championships from April 3 to 6 in Richmond, BC, earning a total eight medals in the categories kata (forms) and kumite (point fighting), which is a stunning achievement for the club.
The absolute highlight of the tournament was Arya Mittal's thrilling victory in the Boys 16/17 years -61kg kumite division. He secured the gold by defeating his Ontario opponent with a National’s record-breaking score of 18 to 15, earning him the title of National Karate Champion.
Arya has secured a spot on Team Canada and will compete at the Junior Pan-American Karate Championships in Paraguay this August.
Faith Davison also qualified for the U21 and Senior Pan-American Championships in Mexico in May. She won two silver medals in the U21 Women's 68+kg kumite and U21 Pan-Am trials, and a bronze in the Senior Women's 68+kg kumite division.
Para-athlete seventeen year old Sarah Nowlin achieved a silver medal in her para-kata division for a second year in a row, performing successfully with confidence and grace.
Additional Kenzen results:
Matt Davision - bronze U21 Mens 84+kg kumite, and bronze in U21 Pan-Am trials
Koen Sainz - bronze in Boys 14/15yrs -57kg kumite
Emily Gao - 5th U21 Womens kata
Ewan Booth - Top 10 Boys 14/15yrs kata
Zoe Gao - Top 16 Girls 14/15yrs kata
Linda Zhou - Top 8 Girls 14/15yrs -54kg kumite, and Top 16 Girls 14/15yrs kata
Paisley Booth - Top 10 Girls 12/13yrs -52kg kumite
We are very proud of everyone's efforts.
Karate is also part of the upcoming 2025 World Games in China and the 2026 Youth Olympics in Senegal.
Kenzen's success is a team effort with the whole club supporting these athletes. Local interest in karate continues to grow due to its benefits of focus, fitness, and fun, and Kenzen offers classes for all ages.
