Cochrane martial artist Indiana Carlyle-Byford will be representing the Canada at the World Junior Karate Championships in Italy next month.
The competition will take place in Venice from Oct. 9 to 13. It’s anticipated that 800 competitors from 62 countries will be competing in this year’s event.
Carlyle-Byford has been practicing with Cochrane’s Ippon Karate Dojo with Sensei Adam Wackershauser for 10 years. Outside of karate, Carlyle-Byford is currently a grade 11 student at Cochrane High School.
After competing in the 2024 Junior Pan American Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Carlyle-Byford said she was chosen to be one of the few competing in Europe next month.
“For the Pan Am’s in Brazil, there are two Canadians per division,” she said. “To get to World's you have to be the best Canadian in that division. I won one match and I lost the other, which put me in ninth out of 17, and in doing so, I got the chance to compete in World's.”
At the start of October, Carlyle-Byford will be heading out to Italy to compete.
“I will be sparring, and it is by weight and age,” she explained. “So, I’m a junior, 16 to 17 years old, and then I’m in the heavyweight division, 66-plus kg.”
With the plan to give it her all at the competition, Carlyle-Byford said she looks forward to the many opportunities and experiences that this will bring her.
“Of course, in the back of my mind I’m like; 'let’s go there to win this,' but I’m mainly just really excited to have the experience,” Carlyle-Byford said. “I know even if I perform and do my best, but I still don’t medal, I will still gain from that. And I will still be able to bring things back to my dojo and continue to improve so maybe this year or maybe one day I’ll win world champion.”
Looking back, she never would have guessed that she would be heading to the world stage for karate.
“I’m super proud of myself because I don’t think little me at seven years old would have thought that this would be possible,” Carlyle-Byford said. “And now to represent Canada globally is just an absolute honour. I’m just really excited and very proud of myself.
“I’m very proud to represent Sensei Adam as well, as he has taught me everything I know. So, thanks to him, that’s why I’m going to World's. I’m very proud to represent my dojo, and I’ll do my best.”
In preparation for the competition, Carlyle-Byford said she is training six times a week which includes exercise, regular karate practicing, and even analyzing video footage of other athletes.
Carlyle-Byford like to thank everyone who helped contribute to her GoFundMe, which aims to support her journey to Europe.
“And to everyone who supported me in general; especially my parents because they’re funny, and they’re helping with all this,” she said. “So, I just really appreciate my town, my friends, my sensei, and just everyone.”
For anyone looking to support Carlyle-Byford’s GoFundMe, they can do so by visiting www.gofundme.com.
