Chibougamau was buzzing with energy April 12 as more than 100 young karate students from across the region, including Mistissini and Waswanipi, gathered for a tournament that celebrated discipline, talent and cultural exchange.
The tournament featured three competitions in both individual and team kata events, including kumite (sparring) in categories based on belt colour and age, ranging from seven-year-olds to adults over 50.
Organizer Claude Bédard is an instructor with a sixth-degree black belt at the local Shotokan Karate Club. He has shaped not only the physical skills of students but also their mindset, focus and international opportunities.
“We don’t want to put too much pressure on kids,” he said. “Kata is like a simulation of fighting with more than one opponent, it has to be the synchronization, it has to be the same thing and everything as an individual kata.”
Bédard emphasized that karate is not just a set of punches and kicks, it is about better understanding one’s body.
“Karate brings consciousness about your body,” Bédard said. “You use all your limbs. If something’s off, you’ll feel it. I work a lot on pressure, and especially on stomach breathing, like in yoga. You give punches very fast, but you have to stop them. That’s how you get precision and speed.”
The club’s impact extends beyond regional tournaments. Over the years, students from Chibougamau have competed in international events.
“Last year, we had a young Algerian girl and a boy go to Japan for a world championship,” Bédard said. “They didn’t win, but they did well and gained a lot from the experience.”
After hosting top-level camps and local tournaments, Chibougamau’s Shotokan Karate Club is gaining recognition across Quebec. Karate coach Malek Tourki said this tournament is about more than medals, it is about personal growth.
“When you participate, you are really going to fight your weakness,” Tourki observed.
Tourki played a dual role at the event, as a referee in the morning, then as a competitor who earned a gold medal in the kumite imitation category, and the silver for the kata.
“It was very fast, I like it,” he enthused, describing the energy of the day.
Tourki also noted the increasing participation from Cree communities. “Many Cree people joined this year, and it was very nice to see them winning,” he said.
Chibougamau city councillor Claude Girard described the tournament as a powerful moment of connection between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
“It was wonderful to see so many young Cree participants taking part in the karate system, embracing the values of karate,” said Girard. “This sport teaches respect, perseverance and self-discipline, qualities that are incredibly valuable for youth.”
Karate is a lifelong sport, Girard added. “I don’t think there’s an age limit. While children begin training from the age of five, I know some who are still doing it being 80 years old.”
Girard noted that reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people not only promotes physical activity but also strengthens community bonds.
“Sport is a place where people come together,” he said. “It goes beyond cultural boundaries. It’s about pushing your limits and striving to be better.”
Girard described coaches as deeply passionate individuals committed to passing on the discipline and values of karate to the next generation.
“I strongly encourage young people to take up karate,” he insisted. “It’s a beautiful discipline that demands determination and offers so much in return.”