KARATE

Niwot High senior Rachel Van Court and NHS freshman Jesse Mooney were selected to represent Longmont’s Wado-Kai Shudokan Karate at the Wado-Kai World Cup in Nagoya, Japan Aug. 14-15.  Wado karate is a style which emphasizes harmony and fluidity of movement.  Judges at the World Cup rate athletes on sparring and on a series of martial arts movements known as kata, which is based on ancient traditions.

Van Court demonstrated a kushanku kata routine she has been working on, which is a series of forms in a pattern that mimics defending yourself in battle.  “I felt like I did really well,” Van Court said, even though she didn’t advance beyond the first round.

Van Court has been seriously involved in karate since her freshman year, but was matched against international competitors who have upwards of 10 years of experience.  “We were judged on power and relaxation, which is really hard to do at the same time.” She was matched against a girl from Russia, where karate competition is much more serious.  “We had an amazing time.  We got to watch the finals, which were incredible.  They were doing things I had never seen before.” Van Court, who also plays clarinet in the NHS Orchestra, is in the IB program at Niwot.

Mooney had a similar experience in the boys 14-15 division, and did not advance past the first round.  Mooney, who  is also a wrestler, found the sparring to be the most interesting part of the competition.