Members of the Airdrie JKA karate dojo recently earned some hardware from a major tournament in Calgary, while one of its members also brought home multiple medals from the Canadian nationals and an international competition in Las Vegas.
Emily Lambert earned team gold individual bronze in her junior 16-17 age group Kumite (fighting) category at the U.S. Open in Las Vegas from April 23-24, as well as individual bronze at nationals just outside Montreal in March.
“The individual one is more significant, even though they got a gold medal in the team event,” said Emily’s father Gary Lambert.
“They finished third at nationals, but finished higher than the winner from that at this contest. It’s a big competition with over 40 countries. There’s competitors from Australia, Kazakhstan, all across Europe – this year they had around 2,000 people. It was a huge tournament.”
Lambert will compete in her final competition of the year at a provincial event in Red Deer next month, but already has plans to continue with the sport in her final year of junior eligibility next winter.
“She’ll be getting ready for next year now,” Lambert said. “She’s already decided her training level, event though she trains a lot, is going to go up this year. Next year is her last in junior, so she wants to make the Canadian team next year and get over the hump into the gold and silver rounds.”
Lambert was also a gold medal winner in the 16-17 age group for Kata, earned silver in team Kata and won bronze in adult female Kata at the Canadian Shotokan Karate Association International tournament in Calgary on April 9.
Her teammates from the Airdrie JKA dojo also earned medals at that event. Riki Enquist won gold in Kata and silver in team Kata; Hana Hubley won gold in Kata; Tyler Shaffer earned silver Medal in team Kata; and Lindsay Vandewaal won bronze in Kata.
