The Steveston Karate Club’s tradition of excellence continues this summer with a trio of young members headed to South America.
Vikrant Anandkumar, Haruki Mori and Amane Takeuchi will be representing Canada at the Pan American Karate Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador — Aug. 27-31. They secured their spots on the national team at the recent Canadian Junior Championships in Edmonton.
Anandkumar returned home a double gold medalist, in Kata and Kumite, while Takeuchi also captured Gold in Kata and Mori earned silver.
The Steveston contingent also included Erika Chow, a bronze medal in Kata, along with Alex Amog and Yuki Mori who were all members of Team B.C.
The young athletes have since been training hard under the guidance of Sensei Takeshi Uchiage and many of them have been doing so since they were as young as five.
It was 43 years ago when the Mayor of Wakayama — Grand Master Shozo Ujita, a 9th Dan and president of the Japan Karate Federation Go-ju-Kai — arrived in Steveston to learn the newly opened martial arts centre did not offer karate. He quickly sent over one of his top students — Sensei Uchiage — and the rest is history.
The Uchiages have since been producing national champions with Sensei Takeshi getting help from his wife Kayoko — the All-Japan Kushin-Kai from 1977-81. Their son Toshihide is a 19-time national champion who has also reached the podium at the Pan American, Commonwealth and World Championship levels.
The Uchiages train a traditional form of karate — the Goju-Ryu — formed by Master Chojun Miyagi.
Each year the club hosts the Steveston Invitational Karate Tournament. The 46th edition in February attracted over 400 entries, representing 35 different clubs from around the world.
New classes will be offered in September — ranging for 4-to-5-year-olds up to seniors (15 and older). Levels include junior beginners, intermediate, advanced and competition.
Class and registration details can be found on the club’s website
There will be a karate demonstration in the judo hall from 3-3:30 p.m. as part of the Steveston Salmon Festival activities on July 1. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The club is also holding a fundraiser car wash on July 6 at the No. 1 and Blundell Road Esso Station to help the athletes heading to Ecuador for the Pan Am Championships. Advance tickets — $10 for one car, $27 for three and $40 for five — can be purchased at the dojo or by email at [email protected].
