By Spencer Seymour
The Stonetown Karate Centre (SKC) had three students qualify for Team Canada and will travel to Albufeira, Portugal from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1 for the World Karate Championship (WKC).
Sensei Jalyne Lorentz, Lisa Sheldon and Shannon Campbell all earned their spot on the Canadian national team at the WKC National Team tryout in Nepean, Ont. May 17-19. Fox Houston also attended the tryout in the 13-14 boys division and secured an alternate spot in classical forms and creative weapons.
Competing in the 15-17 Girls bracket group, Lorentz took part in seven events and medalled in each one, including a trio of gold medals in traditional weapons, freestyle forms and team synchronized form. Lorentz also took the silver in creative weapons and kenpo forms, as well as the bronze in hardstyle forms and classical forms.
According to Lorentz, the amount of time put in by the trio makes the accomplishment all the more special.
“I am most proud of all of us for the hours and hours of training and preparation we did to be our best on the mat,” Lorentz told the Independent. “I am proud of the love and dedication we have for the sport. I am proud of the support we have for each other and the support from our Sensei (Jeremy Lorentz), who makes us that one per cent better every day.”
Jalyne Lorentz also described her excitement for stepping back on the world stage.
“It’s always exciting to get the chance to show my skills and compete against the best in the world. This year felt extra special to me because I competed in two more divisions than I normally do, making it a total of seven divisions. Not only did I compete in seven, I medalled and qualified in all seven, making it one of my most successful Canadian team tryouts to date.”
Lisa Sheldon nabbed the gold medal in 42+ women’s continuous sparring (65+kg). Sheldon also took fourth place in both 35+ women’s and 42+ women’s point sparring. Sheldon described the “rewarding” feeling making the national team brings.
“It’s a great sense of accomplishment to have made Team Canada once again,” said Sheldon. “At Dojo, we’re applying ourselves and operating with the mentality of, ‘If you do the hard work, you will get rewarded,’ and it’s a great feeling to know that it has.”
According to Sheldon, little moments along the way, both positive and challenging, make the experience truly special.
“What makes me most proud about this journey are those moments when you feel like giving up, especially this year when the competition was tough, but you push through and use that
determination to get you to the finish line. Being able to qualify in divisions for something I enjoy doing is one thing, but being a part of Team Canada with an opportunity to attend the WKC in Portugal is an added bonus. When I get encouraging words or compliments from other competitors, judges and coaches, and having people back home cheering me on, makes all the efforts worth it. To be a part of this experience and the friends made along the way is something I will always appreciate and be grateful for.”
Campbell completed the St. Marys collection of golds with a first-place finish in 42+ women’s continuous sparring (under 65 kg). Campbell also claimed a bronze in 42+ women’s point sparring. Campbell described why the group she is a part of is particularly special.
“I am grateful for the opportunity and extremely proud of the hard work and training I’ve done to get me to this point. It’s also amazing to be part of an all-female team from Stonetown Karate for the second year in a row. I wouldn’t be here today without the push from Sensei Jeremy who spends a lot of extra time training me and helping me become the best version of myself,” Campbell said.
“Sensei Jalyne has been very inspiring to watch. Her dedication to the sport is unbelievable and watching her train shows me how hard I need to train. I’ve cheered Lisa on for years, so now being able to train with and learn from her is amazing.”
Campbell added she is proud to have ascended to the heights in karate that she has with a family to enjoy the journey with her.
“I am most proud that I did this in my forties. I started karate in 2019 at the age of 43. I had watched my husband and three sons train in karate for years and, in 2019, my husband competed on Team Canada. It was then that I decided it was time for me to try it. I had been on a health journey for over a year and had lost over 100 pounds so when I first started, I was just doing it for exercise and then fell in love with it. Being able to set lofty goals for myself at this age and achieve them fills me with pride and I hope I can inspire others to chase their dreams no matter how outrageous they may be.”
Sensei Jeremy Lorentz explained the students’ work ethic led them to once again represent the local dojo on Team Canada.
"It takes an extreme amount of hard training to earn a spot on the Canadian team,” Jeremy Lorentz told the Independent. “It requires hours at the dojo, many pre-tournaments to attend and test your skills, and sizing up competition to be the best. Our students impress us the most with their great attitudes, respect for the other competitors and willingness to continue learning and adjusting their skills to be the top in their divisions. We are so proud of them all and look forward to being part of their growth and advancement in competitive sport karate.”