Front: (left to right): Kai Baker, Bradley Bordeau; Back: Gavin MacDonald, Caleb Mills, Riley Windover, Kayla Provencher Submitted photo
WATERVILLE — Five members of the Focus Karate Academy of Rumford recently competed in the Elm City Karate Challenge on April 20
at the Alfond Youth and Community Center.
“I am so proud of you all”, said Kayla Provencher who is Renshi (instructor) and owner of K.P.’s Focus Karate on Canal Street in Rumford. “Every one of you worked hard, stayed committed, and earned those medals.”
Caleb Mills earned two medals, winning the Men’s Black Belt Kata (hands-free forms), Weapons Kata (weapons forms), and brought home the plaque for the overall Black Belt Grand Champion title at the event. Gavin MacDonald had three first place medals, winning the male 13-15 year-old intermediate skills Kata, Weapons Kata, and Kumite (sparring). Riley Windover took two first-place medals, winning the female 13-15 year-old intermediate skills Kata and Weapons Kata. Kai Baker won two medals home, placing third in male 10-12-year-old intermediate skills Kata and third in Kumite. Bradley Bordeau received two medals, winning the male 10-12 year old advanced skills Kumite and placing fourth in Kata.
The event was sanctioned by S.M.A.R.T. , State Martial Arts Ratings &Totals. Dozens of participants from youth to adults and all skill levels entered the tournament in front of a packed audience at the Alfond Center. Part of the proceeds of the event went to sponsor Community Outreach and Programming Purposes, one of which was to combat youth food insecurities.
“We are lucky to have such an accomplished teacher”, said thirteen year-old Gavin MacDonald in reference to Kayla Provencher who is a renowned Martial Artist with several state, national, and international tournament titles of her own. “We’re actually a small dojo, but it gives the teacher much time for one-on-one help. We practice, we try hard, and we win.”
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