Newmarket athletes win bronze at national karate competition

Marcus Peng, Parsa Sajadi and Daijah Talib from the Senshuken Martial Arts Academy in Newmarket took home bronze medals after competing at the Karate Canada National Championships.

Marcus, 16, took third in the junior kumite category, Parsa, 13, took third in the youth kumite challenge and Daijah, 17, tied for third in the women’s kumite group at the July 4-7 tournament in Laval, Quebec.

“Third place meant a lot to me,” Marcus said. “This is my third year going to nationals. We had a great time there.”

The group competed in a highly competitive tournament against challengers. More than 600 athletes from nine provinces and one territory competed at Place Bell before a roaring crowd of thousands at the national championships.

Kumite is a freestyle combat sport in which an athlete wrestles and trains against one or more opponents. Marcus learned a lot by competing with other athletes from around the country and watching how they performed and trained. He said it was challenging to compete with opponents.

“In the finals I was fighting a good Alberta guy,” Marcus said. “He was awesome. Trying to figure him out and beat him was one of my biggest challenges, but in terms of sparring and level of competition I was used to it, having been to the Canadian National Championships three times.”

Several athletes from the academy finished in ninth and seventh place overall. The athletes train approximately three days a week throughout the year.

“They performed well,” said Saeed Baghbani, head instructor. “They did their best. There were some unfortunate decisions we had with certain individuals, but I think overall we did pretty well as a group. We can definitely do better, but we’re looking forward to next season.”

Categories included youth (12 to 13 years old), cadet (14 to 15 years old), junior (16 to 17 years old), under 21 (18 to 20 years old), senior (over 16 years old) and para divisions for four days of kata and kumite competition. More than 70 officials evaluated participants at the event.

The team prepared by doing tactical, technical, fitness, endurance and strength training sessions throughout the season in preparation for the event.

“They’re maturing and changing every month, every two months,” Baghbani said. “As a coach and their sensei, it’s amazing to see them maturing and changing. Their growth has been tremendous.”

“This was one of the largest national championships in the history of our sport and it was a great success,” said Rodney Hobson, Karate Canada’s Technical Director. “Place Bell was once again an excellent venue and Karate Quebec was, as always, an excellent host. My thanks to all the volunteers and officials and congratulations to each of these inspiring athletes for their accomplishments.”