Courtesy of Sensei Takeshi Uchiage (Steveston Karate Club):
The 46th Steveston International Invitational Tournament was held at the Steveston Indoor Tennis Court on Feb.23, 2019. Over 440 athletes entered this international tournament from California, Oregon, Illinois, Washington, Alberta and 11 Jr. members and 2 Sr. members from Japan. Sensei Takamasa Arakawa and JKF official Sensei Toshiki Fujimoto’s older brother competed at the Steveston tournament 25 years ago as a member of the JKF Japan National Team. Friendly exhibition matches were also held with athletes representing Japan, Canada, and USA.
This competition uses a club proprietary development computer program, used 6 large monitors.
In the WKF men’s finals match between Steveston’s Toshi Uchiage vs International Budo University’s Masatoshi Arakawa, Uchiage came out on top.
Many Canadian national team members participated in both the junior and senior divisions. Toshi Uchiage received the Richmond Mayor award and Masatoshi Arakawa received the Wakayama Mayor award and the Richmond Mayor ‘s Cup This year’s women’s division champion Zoe Meszaro placed 2nd in the 2018 Jr. Pan American Championships.
Last year’s Junior Pan American Championship gold medalist Stephanie Hillyer won the Steveston Tournament and received the MLA Cup. Erica Chow received the Consulate General Cup Special Prize.
