It’s almost the big day for Évelyne and Flavie Courtemanche, two sisters aged 16 and 19 who train several times a week at the Budokan club in Gaspé. The two athletes travel to Laval from July 7th to 9th for the national karate championship. It has been a long road for the two sisters, they have trained hard for years, always driven by passion and discipline.

It was her coach who convinced her years ago to continue down this path. An interest in this sport that Flavie hasn’t just been around since yesterday. “I was 8 years old, she was 6, we started with Alain because it was close to our house and then it was easier to get to. We grew up together and have also developed together. At the same time, we also pick up from the Canadian. It’s fun to be with your sister, it’s still a very special partner who is very special. »

The pressure is palpable a few days before the competition. This is the first time the two karatekas have worn the jersey of the Quebec team in hopes of becoming national champions.

A special pressure

The two young athletes have a fighting spirit and don’t intend to return to Gaspé without having lit up the tatami, as explained by the youngest, Évelyne. “I’m a little nervous but I’m really looking forward to it because it looks like a great experience. It’s still Canadian championships. I’m really looking forward to it, I go there to have fun, if I can perform well, and all the better. Then I will go even further. »

For Anne Kulenkamp, ​​​​​​who has worn the Canadian jersey for years, it is a real passing of the torch. After 17 years of exceptional career, the Gaspé karateka has given up her gi after her last fight which took place on May 26th at Pan Am in Costa Rica. Although his decision to retire from the international scene has been considered, the athlete finds it difficult to imagine life without karate.

“I knew it would do this to me. I said to myself: OK, no, but it doesn’t matter. Even if you can’t wait for the next one, there won’t be a next one. But you know, I felt exactly that and I think if I did it again I could go a lot further. Because I learned a lot again in this last competition. »

Flavie and Évelyne will fight alongside 1,000 karatekas over the next few days. Hopefully they find their rightful place on the podium.