Oonah Gamboa and Haruki Mori of team British Columbia claimed the first-ever gold medals to be awarded for Karate at the Canada Games. Their medals were awarded this afternoon following the Kata event at Canada Games multi-sport Dome at Credit Union Place.

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Kata is a Japanese word meaning ‘form’. Kata is a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements made to be practiced alone. It is practiced in Japanese martial arts as a way to memorize and perfect the movements being executed.

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Oonah Gamboa beat Ontario’s Liesel Munar by a score of 25.36-23.74 in the gold medal bout. The two are familiar foes having faced off at numerous other Karate events.

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“I have a lot of respect for my opponent from Ontario, we compete a lot in the regular Karate Canada Nationals so this was just another fun and happy competition for us,” said Gamboa.

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For Gamboa, getting to be a part of history is very special.

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“I feel very excited and very honoured. This is really big for us in B.C. and Karate. I hope to wish all future karateka good luck in the Canada Games,” said Gamboa.

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Gamboa is no stranger to gold medals. She won every gold in her Kata category at the Karate National Championships between 2018-2022. She also won gold in both junior and senior Kata events at the 2022 Canada Open.

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“It definitely is nice to keep adding to my gold count but the higher you go there is more to lose so I will keep training hard and hope to visit another Games soon,” said Gamboa.

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Haruki Mori beat Quebec’s Manic Noël by a score of 25.22-23.60 in the Men’s gold medal bout.

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“I’m very happy. I’ve been working hard for this moment especially with it being in this big tournament. With this being Karate’s first-ever Winter Games, I’m very excited and so happy to get a gold medal,” said Mori.

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Mori previously earned five medals at the 2020 B.C. Winter Games. The 16-year-old has been participating in the sport now for eleven years. Even with all the experience under his belt, he says he’s still not immune to pressure.

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“While I was trying to get the gold medal I was very stressed and also nervous. In my head, I just kept saying you can win, I can do this. Try to stay positive in my mind and I was able to achieve the gold medal. I’m feeling very relieved right now,” said Mori.

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Mori’s next competition is Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the 68kg division of Kumite.

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