Page 10 - KC NEwsletter No.2

Patricia Wright
(Continued from page 9)
Things changed...
“I was at a local tournament hosted by Legacy Shorin Ryu where Kyoshi Scott Bowron suggested to my sensei that I should consider the Para Pan American Games to be held in Toronto.
“We looked into that. Unfortunately there was no sport or division for me.
“We kept looking and eventually found Karate Canada.”
What is your biggest accomplishment in karate?
“Some might think winning tournaments is my
biggest accomplishment. Nope. Any woman can beat a gentleman at a tournament. Any kyu belt can beat a black belt at a tournament.
“Anyone can beat a champion, anything is possible.
“To quote our national Team Canada para-karate coach Heather Fidyk, “medals are just bought at the corner store.”
“Because of that quote, my biggest accomplishment in karate is not winning tournaments. Rather it is what I have done for the Para World and/or what the Para World has done for me.
“Becoming a member at
ADAMA (Association de développement des arts martiaux adaptés) is my biggest accomplishment thus far.
“Having my eyes opened up and seeing that I am not the only one.
“Yes, I have seen that on
an international scale
over and over with all
my travels last year (Belgium, Romania, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Iceland, Austria). But to see local... it really hits home... to see the smiles of the individuals, the children, the youths, the adults... that is what it is all about.”
Were you expecting the outcome to be so successful?
“I was introduced to ADAMA at the Nationals in 2016. It was my first Nationals and I did not do much to follow up until midway through the year.
“When I began to realize just how exclusive things were. I needed knowledge, learning and help.
“There is a slight language barrier however we as a family work together to overcome that roadblock. That is what families do, that is what teams do too, we work together.”
What is your training schedule?
“I can never train enough.
“At our dojo we have two classes a week. During those classes I help teach and I train too. When private lessons are offered I ask for two 30-minute privates.
“Because of my memory issues I would not benefit from a one-hour lesson.
I probably would not remember everything that was taught/ corrected.
“Our dojo is also part of
the Legacy Shorin Ryu. When feasible (it is a $22 train ride,) I will travel to London, Ontario, on Friday evenings for an extra class with Kyoshi Janice Chaki, then stay the night in
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