OCEAN MAN FIRST NATIONS -
Only one year after taking karate lessons, Lexus Bigstone is taking medals in every tournament she attends.
Bigstone is the daughter of Payden and Madison Bigstone. She was asked by her dad if she wanted to take karate, and she said yes.
Bigstone takes her lessons in Weyburn and is a white belt, which is the first level.
She is from Carry the Kettle First Nation but resides with her parents and five siblings at Ocean Man First Nations. Bigstone is 12 years old and attends Stoughton Central School.
In her first year of karate, she attended six tournaments.
She enters two competitions: kata, which is scored on movement, performance and overall routine; and kumite, which is sparring, something she enjoys very much.
Bigstone admits that she has used siblings to practice on.
Attending a tournament in Carlyle, she placed third in kumite and second in kata. She also went to Regina, where she placed second in kata.
They travelled to Calgary to compete in the World Karate Federation tournament. Competitors from all over Canada came to this tournament.
It was a full-contact tournament and Bigstone placed second in kumite. She went on to compete in Saskatoon and place third in kumite.
Bigstone then travelled to Simcoe, Ont., for the national tournament.
She said Ocean Man has helped a great deal with the cost of travelling and accommodations, which she is very thankful for.
Nationals was a big event and Bigstone said it was a great experience. She returned to Saskatchewan with a big smile as she took home a gold medal in kumite, something she is very proud of.
The sparring is her favourite event, but she loved meeting all the new people and made some new friends.
She is very happy with her progress over the year and she recently tested for the next level in belts. She feels very confident that she will be moving up a level.
It is her plan to continue with karate until she has received her black belt. She is excited for her next year in the sport.
