The Battlefords Karate-Do Club members are used to travelling for their annual tournaments, but not this time. The local club hosted the Fall Genbukai Karate championships Saturday at the Don Ross.
The opportunity to host a tournament like this comes around no sooner than five years and rotates among clubs in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
On the weekend 152 competitors participated in the Battlefords, a great turnout after what was expected due to the frigid weather conditions.
Not only did the local club have a number of competitors at the tournament, they also were admirable hosts and several earned medals.
In the peewee white belt division, local Kyle Iturralde took first in both kata (forms) and sparring.
Gilbert Sayman took first in both as well at the boys' yellow belt level.
In the youth green/purple division, Christia Iturralde was first in kata and second in sparring. In the same division James Chipak was second in kata and first in sparring.
In the junior green belt division, Tristan Tarasoff was third in sparring.
At the adult level, in the white belt division, Jim Iturralde was first in sparring and second in kata.
Jennifer Tarasoff was second in the adult orange belt division in kata while Greg Tarasoff was third in that event in the same division.
In the adult ladies' black belt division, Bonnie Kowalski was second in weapon forms and third in sparring.
Finally, in the men's black belt division, Barry Grant earned third place in sparring.
The tournament drew 40 black belts, who helped with officiating Saturday and sensei Elmer Woytiuk said the, " the tournament was a resounding success."
After the black belt competition concluded many had a chance to clean up and partake in the banquet that evening. One of the main focuses of the banquet was the man who put hours into organizing the tournament and has been involved in karate for 45 years, Woytiuk.
The next major tournament for the local club will be in April in Lloydminster.
