On August 25, 2022, Cadence embarked on a new chapter in her life as a competitor representing a nation under the Canada’s Non-governmental Sport Organization, Karate Canada. The organizer, Panamerican Karate Federation (PKF) is one of the five regional representatives of the World Karate Federation (WKF). The other organizations being Asia (AKF), Europe (EKF), Africa (UFAK), and Oceania (OKF). There are multiple international karate organizations in existence however, the WKF is the only association that represents Karate worldwide under the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

As a part of Karate Canada’s (KC) Junior Karate Team, Cadence competed along with her other 80 plus team members from all over the Canada. She shared her division with British Columbia teammate Olivia Z. who was in the another pool. Rules were as follows.

Athletes are split into two pools
Top four athletes in round one of each pool moves to the second round.
Top four athletes of the second round determines who competes for medals with athletes from the second pool.
Second and third highest scorers from each pool compete against each other for bronze in a third and final round.
Top scoring athletes from both pools compete for gold and silver.

Tying for fifth place, Olivia was unable to move into medal contention. This left Cadence to bring it home for Canada. Our little NOXer moved into the second round in second place performing the kata Papuren. With Ohan Dai as her next kata she also placed second with USA earning the top spot in her pool. This meant Canada was now fighting for the bronze medal against the home country of Mexico.

Mexican athlete, Isabella O., performed Anan with one of the highest scores of the day, 21.86. To combat Mexico, Cadence chose Anan Dai. A difficult and high level kata. Just as she has been practicing for weeks, Cadence performed it flawlessly earning a remarkable score of 22.66. Fans of both countries were in a celebratory state during the match. Canada finished respectably with a bronze medal and the highest score for both bronze medal matches and of her division thus far.

In the end Brazil and USA would face off for Gold and Silver. Both their scores would surpass the bronze medallists. Yet we are high as kite because our Markham athlete earned Canada’s first medal of the Panamerican Karate Championships and that she had reached a personal best with a tangible result.

You can see here medal winning match on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/NHxVcCt3h-E?t=7131

Cadence’s journey is one of many on our competition team. Zac and Noah will also be representing Karate Canada at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham UK with 30 other athletes. Even if athletes compete in local events, each person’s journey is one of achieving one’s personal best. All of our team members nibble everyday towards improving themselves. They inspire us to be better.

Go NOX Dojo Go!

New Pan Am Champ

Go Zac and Noah Go!