BANFF – Flesh was tattooed with bruises after a mountain town karate club’s presence was felt through fists and on the podium.
Banff Kyokushin Karate members Francois Pace and Daiki Uda won four gold medals combined at the Edmonton Cup for Kyokushin Karate on Saturday (Nov. 17).
In the first Kyokushin tournament of the season, Banff’s Uda, 12, won the boys’ 12 and under 71-80-pound division in Kata, Contact and Non-Contact categories, and Pace took gold in 35+ men’s heavyweight (185 pounds and over) in Contact.
It’s Uda’s first taste of gold in competition.
“I thought it was going be very tough and it was,” said Uda.
The young blue belt has practiced Kyokushin Karate for about seven years and said he had fun competing.
The Kyokushin style places emphasis on realistic movement and fighting. The style sets itself apart from the more traditional karate, where there is usually no, or little contact in sparring.
With a bruised bicep and injured foot for battle wounds, Pace won with endurance, technique and damage inflicted.
“I caused a lot of damage, had good ring control and so therefore I won with the refs on each card,” Pace said.
A yellow belt, Pace went against brown and green belt fighters – above his own ranking.
Pace and the other competitors fought bareknuckle, wearing headgear. The rules allow for punches to the body, kicking above the knee, and touch-kicks to the head.
The two-minute fights are short in duration, but fighters are in full sprint.
“The heart rate is up and you get tired fast if you’re not in control,” said Pace. “The main thing is to be able to see the fight and be in control of the fight and be able to breathe at the end of it.”
In his fourth year with the club, Pace said he’s experienced much personal development.
He also helps instruct classes with younger members.
“The tournament was a lot of fun but watching the kids was more fun,” he said.
Next Saturday (Dec. 1), Banff Kyokushin Karate hosts its championship at the Banff Community High School gym.
Uda and Pace each plan on competing in front of the hometown crowd.
