Shihan Mark Yates, instructor at Promar Karate in Listowel and Gorrie, competed at the TMA Northern Karate Challenge in Orangeville on Sept. 17. Yates took second in black belt weapons and third in musical weapons. Sensei Becky Schweitzer earned first in musical forms, second in musical weapons and fourth in self-defence. Yates is currently the top-ranked black belt weapons competitor on the Sport Karate International Leagues, Ontario Karate circuit.

On Sept. 24, Yates and Schweitzer went to Scarborough to compete in the 25th Canadian National Gold Belt Karate championships.

Yates took seven first place finishes – black belt traditional weapons, open weapons, 35 and up weapons, and masters weapons, as well as firsts in Korean patterns, masters kata and 40 and over kata. “I came here two years ago and took five second place finishes,” said Yates. “I was determined to get one first place. This is a personal best for me.”

Schweitzer took first in women’s black belt weapons, second in women’s hard-style kata, second in soft-style kata, third in Korean patterns, third in open weapons, fourth in self defence and fourth in open forms.

Both are well seeded for the upcoming provincial karate championships in Hamilton Oct. 15.

Jon Cucksey went to the Ontario Grand Nationals in London and took third in advanced men’s sparring and third in advanced men’s kata

Yates teaches karate Thursday nights at the Gorrie hall.