CARLYLE - Seventy competitors participated in the 28th annual Moose Mountain Karate Tournament, held Nov. 25 and 26 at the Gordon F. Kells High School gymnasium.
The male and female attendees came from many Saskatchewan and Manitoba communities, including Carlyle, Regina, Saskatoon, Weyburn, Hamiota, Boissevain and Melita.
Kevin Dyck is a sandan, which is a third-degree black belt, and one of the local instructors.
“This is our first tournament that we have hosted since 2019. It is always held on the last weekend of November. We were honoured to have sensei Denis Labbe, a ninth-degree black belt, in attendance from Ontario. He is also president of the Shintana Wado Kai Karate Federation.”
The tournament started with a clinic on Nov. 25 with the 11 and under age group, followed by the older competitors. Advanced training techniques and drills were taught that were suitable to each age group and skill level.
The official bow-in ceremony took place at 10 a.m. on Nov. 26. The black belts competed first, followed by the kyu belt (coloured belt) divisions from white up to brown. The tournament is a friendly competition and is used to showcase and develop the talents and skills of the participants.
Dyck and Jayson Humphries are the only two third-degree black belts that belong to the Moose Mountain Karate Club. Humphries is the head sensei and was successor to long-time head sensei Rathe Mokelky.
“Our karate club is back on track after two years of pandemic restrictions,” said Dyck. “We meet every Tuesday night at the dojo, which is located just north of Highway 13 besides Living Skies Crossfit. We have had many younger students join this year and our membership has increased steadily. If anyone is interested, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our club.”
