Representing martial arts practitioners in Alberta on the international level, athletes from Cochrane’s Ippon Karate Dojo is continuing to make strides in all corners of the world.
Earlier this year, Brooklyn Carter, Indiana Carlyle-Byford, and Lina Kokame represented Team Canada at the Pan American Championships in São Paulo, Brazil. The trio qualified for the team after competing in the Canadian National Championships in Laval, Quebec.
This month, Carlyle-Byford continued to represent Canada at the junior World Karate Championships in Venice, Italy. The event is under Karate Canada, which is the recognized sports organization of the Canada Olympic Committee.
In addition, Carter, with Vince Thottungal and Carter Dawood, travelled to the U.S. to compete in the West Coast Open Karate tournament that took place in Tacoma, Washington. Carter earned bronze in Women’s Kata, Thottungal secured gold in Men’s U18 Kumite, and Dawood took home gold in Men’s Kata with bronze in Men’s Kumite.
Currently, Ella Nishida and Kian Quiambao are in Rhodes, Greece where they will be competing in the WKU World Championships.
Ippon’s founder and head instructor Adam Wackershauser said he’s proud of their achievements, adding that it always feels amazing to see his students compete at the highest levels of karate.
“We’ve been really blessed,” he said. “The dojo’s been open for 20 years, and we’ve had people on the national team since day one.”
With growing attention from both the province and across Canada, Wackershauser said he is thrilled to see how his athletes have developed over years of training. He outlines that this is all in part of the hard work and continue efforts by all of his students.
“These athletes put so much into it and you watch their growth,” he said. “Carter is 23 now and he started then he was six or seven years old, Indiana’s 17 and she started when she was seven [years old], so I’ve been with some of these students for well over a decade, and you get to know them through all their highs and lows, and ups and downs
“You can definitely see them hit a goal or perform to the level you hope they would, you really get to celebrate with them.”
As Ippon approaches their 20th year in the community, Wackershauser said they are always training their athletes to work hard, while also fostering a very strong sense of community. This has been part of their core ideals since day one, and he believes that this is what plays into their success.
“Win or lose, we want them to put their best foot forward each time,” Wackershauser said. “And to really represent themselves, their dojo, their province, and their country with the highest level that they can.”
With a new learning space, Wackershauser said Ippon will continue to solidify their program, while also helping aspiring martial artists reach any goals that they have.
Wackershauser would like to give thanks to his co-head, coach, and wife Hidemi Uchiage, the community of Cochrane, and everyone who helped support Ippon.
“We’re trying to grow as a community together, and that’s what we want to continue to do,” he said.
