It was a challenging day for Markham Karate athletes on October 25, 2010. In 2009 Markham had won the Meibukan Cup just by a hair. The Meibukan Cup currently has 2 tournaments per year where each athlete earn points towards the dojo. 2008, it was the first year of this unique team challenge. Typically, Karate tournaments reward individual athletes but not the entire team. The Meibukan Cup is first of its kind where athletes that compete earn points for their entire dojo team. Therefore all athletes benefit and contribute to the day win, lose, or draw. It is inaugural year, London took home the cup by dominating the kobudo event. 2010 would be a leap-frog year for them as regain the cup once again.
Markham had won the first event of the season on our home turf when we went against London and competed on our Main Street – Markham tournament last Spring. We had won by a couple of hundred points. I believe our team became a little complacent believing that London could never catch up to such a large point spread. Our team of 15 entered the London event with a strong performance but the efforts of the small team was not enough to earn enough points to win the entire year. London had their own superstars and more than twice as many athletes to capture enough points to take the day.
Although Markham lost the cup for just one year, the event proved itself as a proving ground for some of our up and coming athletes. London’s event had a separate division for athletes with less that 3 months experience which was a great way to introduce athletes to competition for the first time. Many of our under 6-year-old event also did well in their very first event. Markham champ, Andrew McAdam-Wong came out of hiatus and demonstrated that he still had game winning both Kata and Kumite. Our own Special K, Kiana Wong who is Junior Olympic Champion, also won 2 of her divisions. The entire team of 15 did an excellent job with all returning with podium hardware. It was a day to be proud of.
London’s Meibukan Games 2010 made for a fun day for the entire family. Parents and students with hopscotched schedules were able to finally get together with each other and reminisce. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, athletes met new friends between dojos and kyu belts were able to witness black belts in competition. After the events parents, students, and coaches from both London and Markham continued the spirit of camaraderie with a shared meal at a local Chinese restaurant. By day’s end, everyone forgot about medals won or lost and the memories were replaced by the new friends and experiences that we gained.
Go Markham Go!
