Eighteen-year-old Coaster Caio Machado will soon be heading to another coast – Halifax, N.S. – to compete in the Karate Canada 2018 National Championships from March 9 to 11.
To do it, Machado and the Kaigan Karate Club in Roberts Creek have been working to raise the $1,400 needed to pay for the trip. The club organized a Feb. 18 fundraiser, inviting parents of club members to train with their kids.
Senseis Mark Guignard and Dallas Grieve took parents through a series of training exercises.
The day also included demonstrations of kata and kumite, or sparring.
The club raised $185 for Machado’s trip.
Laurel Sukkau, a club sempei, or trainer, said the fundraiser turnout was high despite adverse weather conditions. “It was on the snowy Sunday morning, and even though the power was out, Mark managed to get the heat going. Parents came out from Halfmoon Bay and Sechelt,” Sukkau said.
Machado has been balancing his training schedule with his job in the computer department at London Drugs.
He will be the second club member to compete at the national level.
In 2013, Lazar Williams placed fourth at the Canadian national championships in Toronto. Machado will be heading into the competition with a confidence boost. On Feb. 10 he competed in the 45th Steveston International Tournament, taking home gold.
At Nationals, Machado will be competing as part of the B.C. provincial team in the U21 under 60 kilograms and Men’s Kumite Elite under 60 kilograms categories. This will be the first time he competes in an open adult division. If he’s able to place in the top two in his division, he will qualify for the Pan-American Senior Karate Championship.
“Being my first national competition, I’m really trying to set the bar high for myself,” Machado said. “I hope to do really well so I can… represent Canada there, which would be phenomenal.”
Sukkau said Machado, is “very fierce and focused. He takes advantage of any opportunity to improve… It’s very exciting for us that he’s going to the Nationals.”
The club is planning another fundraiser at the Gumboot Café in Roberts Creek. The date is still to be set; those interested can follow the Kaigan Karate Club Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/Kaigan-Shito-Ryu-Karate-130634477563384/
