Karate tourney drew people from all over Ontario

The annual karate tournament at Elora Public School on March 25 had almost 100 competitors, from children to adults and beginners to black belts, representing a number of different Goju-ryu dojos across Ontario.

There are three different divisions: kata, kumite and kobudo.

Kata is a set series of movements that mimic an imaginary battle. It is performed as an artistic expression where self-defence is the medium.

The other divisions are kumite (point-sparring) and Kobudo (weapons forms).

For many of the black belts in attendance, the annual tournament is like a homecoming. Some of them started training as children with Kyoshi Jay Purdy close to 30 years ago.

Although they may have moved to different towns, they always come back to Elora for the last Sunday in March for this championship tournament.