WEYBURN – Members of the Vilcu Karate Klub in Weyburn showcased their skills at the 2025 WKC Nationals in Gatineau, Quebec, from May 16-18, marking their debut on the national stage. The athletes competed in Kata, Kumite, and Weapons divisions against some of the country’s top talent.
Qualifying through their performance at the Annual Vilcu’s Karate Klub International Championships (VIMAC) – a provincial qualifier hosted in Weyburn – the team intensified training with one-on-one sessions in both Weyburn and Estevan to prepare for the high-level competition.
“The competition went very well,” said Sensei Isaac Vilcu. “There were extremely talented competitors, and we saw huge improvements in our students just from facing this calibre of athletes. It brought out the best in them and we have seen vast improvements since then.”
Despite the nerves that come with a first-time national appearance, the club held its own, with standout performances from Robyn Vilcu, who placed third, and Caramia Hope, who took fourth in the 18+ Chinese Soft Style Forms. Both athletes earned spots on Team Canada, with Robyn set to represent the country at the WKC World Championships in Niagara, New York, this October.
Financing remains a challenge, however, for the club.
“Financially, we need to do more fundraising as it is a huge cost to all the students travelling to compete provincially, nationally and internationally,” said Vilcu."We focus on training as it is a top calibre competition. Nerves are and always will be part of any competition, but our students held their own with positive support knowing they may or may not place as it is their first Nationals Tournament.”
The club plans to ramp up fundraising efforts and is grateful for past sponsorships from Estevan and Weyburn businesses.
Reflecting on the experience, Vilcu emphasized the growth of his students.
“I've kept ongoing coaching/teaching and positive moral support to all my students to instill confidence and discipline,” he said.
From the nationals they took away “new skills and insight into what we need to change and adapt in order to improve our skills at that level,” he said.
