Athletes bio english

World Karate and Kick Boxing Championship

Cadiz, Spain 2011

Athlete’s BioName: Martin Roberge, B.A. Psych. French Canadian.

Occupation: Full time Mental health clinician, volunteer karate and kick boxing instructor.

Sports: Karate and kick boxing

Rank: 1st degree black belt

School: Shogun Dojo

Training: 2 hrs daily 6 times a week.

What does wining represents: Winning is never about the prize. Winning is making the right decision at the right time. Winning is training hard to be prepared for whatever comes your way. Winning is being there mentally in the present moment and focus on what’s in front of you, not behind. Winning is showing gratitude to your opponent for giving you his best. Winning is about being one with your mind, body and soul.

Objectives: Represent Canada at the World karate and kick boxing Championship in Cadiz, Spain. Get a world championship title. Open my own martial art club and help troubled youth through the healthy life style and discipline of martial arts.

WESTERN CANADIAN, Vancouver, BC2003 Silver in point fighting

TIGER BALM INTERNATIONAL, Vancouver, BC2004 Champion + Grand Champion Traditional form2005 Silver in point fighting

BC TEAM TRY OUTS, Williams Lake, BC2010 Gold in point fighting, Silver in Continuous fighting2011 Gold in Continuous fighting, Bronze in Point Fighting

COMPETE INTERNATIONAL , Ontario, California 2011 Silver in Continuous fighting.

WKC NATIONAL TEAM TRY OUT, Ottawa2005 6th place in traditional forms. 2011 Silver in Continuous fighting, 5th in Point fighting

Competitions and ranking

Only by competing with top athletes do you become one yourself. Given our remote location the cost of traveling anywhere is very expensive thus lessens our chances to participate in big events where elite athletes go. Being sponsored would allow us to participate more in high caliber events in urban centers. Given our sparse experience and seeing our rankings, often in the three first positions, it is clear that gold is within reach. Like too many Canadians last year I lost my

mother after a long battle with cancer. This difficult experience has shown me how our health can be fragile and that life holds only by a thread. It made me understand that one should never miss an opportunity to do what his heart desires. I decided to honor my mother’s memory by being all that I can be and seize every single moment before it’s too late. So I rolled up my sleeves, kept competing and qualified for the worlds championship. To reach a world championship competition is the ultimate way to measure one’s self mentally and physically. The training to get there can be at time quite grueling and unpleasant but doesn’t compare to fighting an illness like cancer. My mother never gave up and fought for her life until her last breath. This painful and sad memory now serves me as a model of courage and tenacity. In each of my competition I fight until my last breath and each of my wins I dedicate to her. I wish for my mom to be there to watch and cheer for me. Unfortunately destiny has decided differently and I must carry on my own, but where ever she is, I know she is looking at me with a big smile and two thumbs up.

Athlete’s BioName: Liza Ramos, Canadian citizen, Filipino Canadian.

Occupation: Restaurant and Food Industry Worker/Volunteer Cardio Kickboxing and

Kids Karate Instructor

Sports: Karate and kick boxing

Rank: 3rd degree black belt

School: Shogun Dojo

Training: 2 hrs daily 6 times a week.

What does winning represent: I would like to say that “Winning is Everything”. This does not necessarily mean getting a medal or any prize. To achieve goals in life, to pursue anything your heart desires, to follow your dream is winning. A winner is someone who works hard, highly disciplined, strong commitment and dedication. Winning a medal or trophy in something you have worked hard for is an extra reward and satisfaction.

Objectives:I aim to represent Canada at the WKC World Championship in Cadiz, Spain in November and to achieve a World Title. Furthermore, I would like to be able to enrich people from all walks of life through my knowledge and expertise in martial arts. And most importantly, I would like to offer an opportunity for less fortunate women and children to do self-defense classes and provide awareness for a healthier lifestyle.

Competitions and ranking BYTOWN BATTLE, Ottawa, ON1998 Bronze medalist in Point fighting

WKA CANADIAN NATIONALS, Ottawa ON1999 Bronze Medalist in Point fighting2000 Bronze Medalist in Point fighting2001 Silver Medalist in Point fighting2002 Silver Medalist in Point fighting2003 Silver Medalist in Point fighting2005 Silver Medalist in Point fighting Bronze Medalist in Traditional Forms2011 Gold Medalist in Continuous fighting (-50k) Bronze Medalist in Point fighting (-50k) Silver Medalist in Point fighting (-60k) Bronze Medalist in Traditional Forms

WKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, Hannover, Germany1999 Fifth Place in Point fighting

TIGER BALM INTERNATIONAL, Vancouver, BC2000 Silver Medalist in Point fighting, Gold Medalist in Traditional Forms2001 Silver Medalist in Point fighting, Gold Medalist in Traditional Forms2002 Bronze Medalist in Point fighting, Gold Medalist in Traditional Forms2003 Bronze Medalist in Point fighting, Gold Medalist in Traditional Forms 2004 Bronze Medalist in Point fighting, Gold Medalist in Traditional Forms2005 Silver Medalist in Point fighting, Silver Medalist in Traditional Forms

BC TEAM TRY OUTS, Williams Lake, BC2010 Gold in Point fighting (-50k) Gold in Point fighting (-60k) Gold in Traditional Forms (W – 18 and up) Gold in Traditional Forms (W – 35 and up)

COMPETE INTERNATIONAL , Los Angeles, US 2011 Silver in Point fighting (-60k) Bronze in Women’s Hard style Forms

What motivates me to do what I love to do? Passion! Martial art is my passion! To me, martial art delivers a strong vibrant energy when I am engaging this particular sport. It puts a smile on my face, helps me get through a rough day, and brings happiness at present moment and achieves serenity.

I have been involved in martial arts for 15 years now, and this has helped me grow as I discover how much potential there really is. I have always been interested in martial arts since childhood. Back in the Philippines where I was born, my father would not allow us to do such sport due to financial shortcomings. You always hear everybody else talk about it around you but never allowed to participate or to watch. This curiosity lingered for many years until I was old enough to be able to pay for my own training. My father was not my biggest fan, since he thought that I was too small and easily gets beaten by a much

bigger opponent. A slight talk of discouragement, but I never gave up. I believed that I could do more than just the fighting aspect of it; there is so much more to martial art than that! When I got my first black belt degree, my father expressed how proud he was of me for pursuing what I love doing!

I wanted to test my own capabilities and started competing. There were many disappointments and frustrations, but more and more I was obsessed with the challenge. In 1999, I made it to my first WKA World Championships in Hannover, Germany. It was such a great experience and a learning opportunity. I was not quite successful with my goals, but it brought me to another level as an athlete. There were few more National Championships that qualifies me for Canadian Team, unfortunately; I was not financially able to compete. As I was also a single mother of two beautiful girls, it made it very difficult to fulfill my dreams.

Despite of all the obstacles in life, I continue to train and with the anticipation to compete in the future. And, here it is, an opportunity knocks on my door! This year, I restarted my competition adventure and I am going to represent Canada in Cadiz, Spain in the fall. All my hard work and perseverance prevail!

A true passion motivates you to move beyond our comfort zone in order to achieve the potential that resides within us! A true passion is staying focus to find the right direction! A true passion is to follow your dreams!

Athlete’s BioName: Rob Henry, Canadian citizen, English Canadian

Occupation: CN Conductor

Sports: Karate and Kickboxing

Rank: 5th Kyu Purple belt.

School: Shogun Dojo

Training: 2 hrs/day 4-6 times a week.

What does winning represent: Winning a World Championship would highlight the hard work and dedication taken to get to that point. It's not an individual achievement, it's a product of the coaching and training partners.

Objectives: I would like to win a world championship in my fighting career. I wish to become an instructor in the future and am working on accomplishing both goals.

Competitions and ranking Tiger Balm Internationals - Vancouver, BC2008 - Gold in Sanshou, Silver in Continuous point fighting2009 - Bronze in Sanshou, 4th in Continuous point fighting

Provincial Team Tryouts - Williams Lake, BC2010 - Gold in Continuous

National Team Tryouts - Ottawa, Ont.2010 - Bronze in Continuous

World Championships - Albufeira, Portugal2010 - 4th in Continuous

National Team Tryouts - Ottawa, Ont.2011 - Silver in Continuous, 4th in Point Fighting

Athlete’s BioName: Tareq Abu Khadra, German Canadian.

Occupation: 9th grade student

Sports: - Karate and kick boxing- Ski Racing (participated in 2010 BC Winter games)

Rank: 2nd degree Black Belt (has been practicing Karate for 8 years)

School: Shogun Dojo

Training: 3 hours a day 3 times a week & 1,5 hours a day, 2 times a week

What does wining represents: Winning for me is a bonus, qualifying for, and then participating in tournaments is my goal.

Objectives: My goal is to become World Champion in Martial Arts. To me Martial Arts is a life style and I would like to teach Martial Arts in our club.

Western Canadian, Vancouver BC: 2005 - Gold Point Fighting2007 - Gold Point Fighting

Tiger balm, Vancouver, BC : 2005 - 2 Silver Point Fighting 2006 - Gold Point Fighting2007- Gold and Bronce Point Fighting2009- Gold Point Fighting 2010 - Bronze Point Fighting

Competitions and ranking BC Provincials, Williams Lake: 2010 - 2 Gold Point and Continuous fighting2011 - 2 Gold Point and Continuous fighting

Compete Internationals , Los Angeles, California: 2011- 4th place point fighting

Team Canada Try outs, Ottawa, ON: 2008 - 11th 2009 - 4th 2010 - 7th 2011 - Silver Continuous Fighting and 5th in Point Fighting

WKC World Championships, Dublin, Ireland: 2009 - 5th Point Fighting.

Ever since I can remember I'm exposed to Karate, because my family runs the local Karate School. My father is running the school with more than 30 years of

experience in that sport and made it to a German, European and World Champion himself, to become German and now Canadian National coach. He is my

absolute idol, mentor and role model for so many reasons. He insists that Karate shaped and protected him from ending up on the wrong side of life when he was a teenager and tries to show people that this port is more than just a physical sport but what he calls a 'life school' with a philosophy. Many good character traits are taught and practiced there that are beneficial in life, like self discipline,

respect for one self and others, humbleness, and not to give up

when situations get tough – to persevere, just to name a few.

Of course when I was younger all I saw was the Karate class, the physical workout. The older I become the more I value the philosophy behind it and more and more do I draw from it without even noticing it at first. Last year for example I started Ski racing with the Nation wide Nancy Green program that can be very intense and requires a lot of training. From my experience in Karate I know how to be focused, committed and determined, to have the right attitude towards training and so even in my first season being on downhill skis I made it to the BC Winter games.

Now in Karate, one important aspect are Karate classes where techniques are practiced, attitude polished and where everybody more or less improves him/herself on many personal levels. And then there are competitions. Competitions are essential to become a world athlete because they offer the opportunity to test and challenge one's techniques, condition, nerves and focus. There is no environment that can emulate a Karate tournament with all its challenges. Every time I leave from tournaments with something new learned. It even feels like I learned by leaps and bounds even if I lost my fights (and then having

i.e. to deal with disappointment over my lost fight, to pick myself up and to try harder next time in the ring). But being under such pressure for a relatively short period of time, where in the ring I have to check out my opponent, come up with strategy how to beat him, stay clear in my head that I can win even when my opponent seems much more skilled than I, everything has to come almost instinctively it all has to come together perfectly in order to win.

The challenge for me to get as many tournaments as possible under my belt is that we live in a rural area, about 1200 km away from Vancouver, BC the next urban center where tournaments take place. For me, participating in a tournament means for my family a lot of planning, traveling and above all money. People that live in urban areas are able to go to tournaments all the time which gives them quite an advantage, for me it is a special event. Every bit of competition experience I can get is combined with a hefty price tag that has to be fundraised or means a sacrifice somewhere else.

The season starts with tournaments 1200km away, but if I qualify there at the Provincials, the next stop is Ottawa, ON where the Nationals take place. Again airfare, hotel, food and starting fees have to be fundraised for, which takes away considerable time from training, too. For me often it is not a question of qualification to make it to the next tournament, but the funding to get there. Our family vacations are usually enjoyed not on a beach but at a Karate/Kickboxing competition, because both is often too much of a burden on our household budget. It seems like a luxury to just focus on training and tournaments.

Now I think it is a natural desire to become better and better at something you enjoy doing and with my father as a prime example in my family of what one athlete can achieve, it only feels natural to me to have the desire to win at the World Champion ships as well. Maybe one day Karate will be introduced as an Olympic discipline which then would be my ultimate goal to qualify for, participate and to win.

For the future I hope to teach other kids and adults those valuable lessons that I have learned - still learning, and to continue my father’s legacy to show people how Karate can improve their life's.