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Cochrane Karate’s 13 competitors combined for an impressive 27-medal haul as the club kicked off tournament action in Edmonton Nov. 28.

The regional event, hosted by the Alberta Karate Association at Grant MacEwan College, saw martial artists take part in both sparring competitions, known as Kumite, and pattern demonstration, known as Kata.

“It’s a lot to do with the students. They are really training hard and are all good friends and working together,” said Cochrane Karate sensei and competitor Adam Wackershauser of his dojo’s success.

“We have had one of the top clubs in the province for the last few years. It has been going really well.”

Wackershauser himself earned gold in the under-75 kilogram Kumite division in Edmonton and added two silvers in Kata and the open Kumite competition. The 23-year-old black belt, who is the only Albertan to ever earn a karate medal at the prestigious Pan-American Games, said he and six other members of the Cochrane dojo will be trying out for a spot on the Alberta provincial team that will head to Toronto for nationals in March.

“I think all or most of them will make it in at least one of their two divisions,” said Wackershauser, noting that the club meets four times a week to train and also works periodically with the provincial team coach.

On top of the Cochrane Karate’s provincial aspirations, Wackershauser’s fiancé, Hidemi Uchiage, will be competing in Kata at the Pan-American Champ-
ionships in Curacao in May.

Wackershauser was quick to point out that although Cochrane Karate’s achievements in recent years have been impressive — member Dan Nguyen was crowned champion at nationals last year in the ages 14-15 team Kumite lightweight division and four other locals won medals — he and fellow club members have no intentions of slowing down in the near future.

“For me, I love the coaching and I love it as a martial art as well,” Wackershauser said. “There is the sport aspect, which is the competing and the coaching and training athletes, which is absolutely fun; it is amazing to watch people progress to their highest levels. Then there is also the buddho aspect to it, which deals with self-defence, discipline and mental focus.”

Other notable performances in Edmonton included Dan Nguyen winning double gold in the ages 14-15 Kata and Kumite divisions and his younger brother Ty accomplishing the same feat in the 11-13 age divisions. Jivan Sekhon also won double gold in the 16-17 age division. More information on Cochrane Karate can be found on the club’s website at www.cochranekarate.ca.

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