Date: Saturday June 18, 2022
Place: Laval, Quebec, Canada
Organizer: Canada Branch Contact David Ricci in Association with the Canadian Cancer Society
The third edition of the “TEST YOUR MIGHT” tournament was held in Laval, just outside Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on Saturday June 18th, 2022. Canadian WKO Contact, David Ricci Senseï developed the concept of a fundraising challenge in the context of a traditional Budo Tameshiwari board-breaking championship.
With over 50 participants from Dojos across the province of Quebec, corporate sponsors, and contributors, the event raised $8,000 for pediatric cancer research. Organized in association with the Canadian Cancer Society, a cause close to Senseï David’s heart, he created this event with the hopes of raising awareness for childhood cancers, while sharing his passion for Kyokushin Tameshiwari with his students and peers. The event was honoured by the presence of Branch Chief Shihan André Gilbert, Branch Chief Shihan Camille Ohan, and Branch Chief Shihan John Kalaidopoulos, who observed and supported the tournament.
The event began at 9:00 am with a heartfelt acknowledgement from Ms. Selly Vega of the Canadian Cancer Society and an energetic Kihon session led by Shihan André Gilbert in collaboration with Shihans Camille Ohan and John Kalaidopoulos all of whom present in solidarity for the cause. An overview of the Championship rules and regulations was provided by David Ricci Senseï who then demonstrated the techniques to be used (Seiken, Sokuto, Shuto, Hiji). The tournament lasted 3 hours finishing promptly at 12 noon and featured competitors in 8 different categories based on age, weight, and experience, from beginners to seasoned Tameshiwari practitioners.
Concluding the event, was the “Masters” category, featuring the most experienced Karateka’s from participating dojos. The competitors were ranked based on the number of boards successfully broken per technique and difficulty level. The number of boards to be broken were chosen by the competitors themselves, further raising the stakes of the competition. Hence, the name “TEST YOUR MIGHT”. This year’s Champion was Alexandre Haché Senseï who will be defending his title next year.
The performance was in the presence of family, friends and spectators who came to show their support for the competitors and their commitment towards the “battle against cancer” through Karate.
As advancements in cancer research require a great deal of funding, David Ricci Senseï believes that it is our duty to get involved and help in whichever way we can. In the future years, he hopes to expand the Competition to include participants from around the world, and battle cancer together on an international scale.
“We have all been affected by cancer in one way or another. Near or far, we are no strangers to the pain and suffering experienced by the victims and families of this devastating disease. It is imperative that we find a cure.”
Sutogure means ‘’Never give up’’, a motto that not only inspires through the karate spirit, but the courage and strength it takes to persevere and succeed in life.
Osu
