Athlete’s Stories

Sarvessh Dhanasekar – Charlottetown Martial Arts

I started karate at the age of 14 because I’ve always wanted to learn a self-defence sport. Only when I joined I realized that karate is more than just self-defence, it is a way of discipline that enhances one as a human being and brings peace and calm to the mind. I would also thank my Sensei Affleck and Erick for always keeping me going and never quitting on the sport. Being a karate athlete means a lot to me as it gives me a sense of purpose subsequent to education. It helps me maintain my calm under stressful circumstances and cope with the stressful life of high school. When I balance my education and fitness, I gain self-confidence in myself and I never stop being me.
During the tournament, I put all of my side thoughts away, such as the outcome or who my opponent would be. My focus is on being present at the moment, heeding the advice of my coach and giving my best.
I would say my 1st success in karate was getting my yellow belt. It was my first stepping stone in karate and gave me a boost of confidence in the sport. I would say it was special at that point as I had never seen three Senseis present all at once at a belt ceremony before.
With Perseverance and Determination, anything is possible. I still remember my first week in Karate, I struggled to get a kick higher than my hip and had shabby off-course punches. If you are practicing, keep doing it and never stop. I’m really thankful to everyone who helped me get so far and gave me confidence in myself to compete at the Canada Games.

Jayce Muirhead-Mills – Charlottetown Martial Arts

I started at 13, after going from one sport to another, unable to find one I felt passionate about. You learn how to cooperate and work well with others and get a sense of camaraderie within karate. You can communicate a focal point several different way. Although my favourite part is the fact that you’re able to be at a tournament and go up to anybody and become close with them without having to feel nervous about it.

When I’m nervous at a tournament I usually remember that I’m the person who is watching me the closest. Nobody else cares as much as I do when I make a mistake, and I’m able to fix them. I also had gotten into kumite in order to compete in the Canada Games, so every tournament I went to remind myself that it was for experience and the necessary building blocks to make it onto the Canada Games team. At my first tournament I was so nervous as a yellow belt going into a match with people who were at least 2 belts above me, but when I met some other competitors and they promised to cheer me on, it felt like the biggest win, despite coming in second place (which also felt like a huge success.)

As corny as it sounds, the only person stopping you is yourself. Every time stepping on the mat, you don’t need to be perfectly calm. You can be nervous, but you have to trust that your body and mind have trained for this and knows what to do, which is easier said than done, but you have to fight the urge to give up and run away from a match. What is a win is experience, what is a loss is learning.

Bria Wong – PEI Shotokan Karate Daigaku

I started karate at 9 years old. I played a lot of different sports growing up but none of them really stuck. I was really small kid and lacked confidence, so naturally my parents decided I should join some sort of martial art. We tried Judo first, but that wasn’t right for me so we switched to karate and I have stuck with that ever since. I started it first, then I told my dad who did karate when he was a kid I would continue if he did it with me, and here we are. It teaches you hard work and discipline, and that your hard work doesn’t always pay off. These skills you learn aren’t just used in karate they are used in every aspect of your life.

Honestly I am still trying to figure out coping with the mental pressure, diverting my attention elsewhere is good and trying to help my teammates also works. But it’s not something I’m the best at right now, but I’m still trying to improve. Winning the Atlantic’s for kata in 2018, it is a moment that is hard to put into words you would have to live it to know. But I highly recommend it.

Progress is important, but it’s more importantly to progress at a pace that’s right for you, it can’t be rushed.

Joshbir Roy – PEI Shotokan Karate Daigaku

I started karate when I was around 9 or 10, first out of province tournament when I was 14 or 15ish. Honestly at the time, karate just seemed like a fun activity. I made some really good friends and so many people to look up to (or down to).
I think karate along with any other extracurricular activity I’ve done has helped me evolve into the person I am now. Karate has taught me many life lessons and then how to use them in everything I do. I that I like quite a bit is “to put everything I have into each and every aspect of everything I do.
I feel like my way of dealing with the mental pressure is a bit much but what I do is practice the kata so much, practically burning myself out before the match even starts so that there isn’t a single doubt in what I plan to preform. Then a bit before the match starts I like to do a little thought process of the kata. What I want myself to look like and what I want everyone else see. I’d say it’s been working out for me well enough.
Other than belts and what not, I think my first actual success was when my sensei said they felt kime from me for the first time. I felt proud of it and also the urge to be able to get that feeling every time I do a technique.
For advice, I think the best I can say is go for it. If karate is new for you, try it out, i think commitment comes after enjoyment. If you’re already committed, keep on going. Got time to practice or work out? Practice or work out! Though over working is a thing so be careful for that. So I guess with, “go for it!”, “enjoy what you do” is also very important.

Mark Seemann – West River School of Karate

I  started karate at the age of 5, influenced to get into martial arts by my older brother. It’s stuck ever since and has always been my main sport of focus. Allowing me to travel to many places and meet great people along the way.

Growing up with it has taught me hard work, perseverance and commitment. Karate is a sport like none other, putting all the pressure on you, which is a big part of why I enjoy it. Staying calm and focused during big tournaments is something I’ve got good at throughout years of competing.

An early big success I remember well was medaling for the first time at Nationals in the Czech Republic at the age of 9. As well as travelling to an international tournament for the first time.

The sport of karate is tough to get into, however there is a lot you can gain from it if you’re determined. Adopting the way of thinking of always putting 100% into what you’re doing will get you far within the sport. I believe anyone with an interest should try it, and those who are competing should always strive for the top.