A talented trio from a Saanich-based karate club are set to make their mark on the international stage.
Ella Crowle, Yashita Kaku, and Joann Huang of Varsity Performance Karate have been selected to represent Canada this month at two of the most significant continental competitions in the Americas.
Crowle will compete in the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay, with karate competitions taking place from Aug. 20-23. Kaku and Huang will represent Canada at the Junior Pan American Karate Championships, also taking place in Asunción, Paraguay, from Aug. 25-31.
“I’m really proud to have the chance to represent Canada at the Junior Pan American Games. This feels like a big step forward in my journey, and I’m excited to compete on the Junior Pan Am Games stage and take in everything the experience has to offer, said Crowle in a release.
The third-year economics student at the University of Victoria will represent Canada in the U21 Women’s Kumite -68kg division at the Junior Pan American Games. Crowle has already won gold at the Canada Winter Games and earned multiple medals at national and provincial championships and the BC Winter Games.
Kaku will represent Canada in the 14/15 Kumite -47kg division at the Junior Pan American Karate Championships. The Grade 11 student at St. Michaels University School won silver at the 2025 nationals and has earned multiple provincial medals.
“I’m really happy to have this opportunity to represent Canada and test myself at the Pan American Championships. I’ve worked hard for this, and I’m excited to get there, compete, and learn from the whole experience,” said Kaku.
Huang will compete in the U14 Kumite +52kg division at the same event.
“It feels unreal to be heading to Pan Ams and to compete alongside so many talented athletes from across the Americas. I’m so thankful for the people who’ve supported me throughout my journey towards this incredible milestone. I’m thrilled to keep growing and make the most out of this experience,” said the Grade 8 student at St. Andrew’s Regional High School.
Huang is the 2025 Canadian national champion who earned a bronze medal at the 2024 nationals and a gold medal at the 2024 B.C. championships.
The trio will be joined by Varsity Performance Karate coach and founder Kraig Devlin, a former national team athlete and coach and former high-performance director for Karate Canada.
“Ella, Yashita and Joann have been working relentlessly toward the goal of representing Canada at these two important continental championships,” said Devlin.
“The success they are achieving is due not only to their personal dedication, but also to the incredible training environment created by our local group of committed athletes. In combat sports, the level of the training partners is just as important – if not more – than the coaching or the athlete. I’m excited to see these three exceptional athletes test themselves against the best in the Americas on the mats in Paraguay.”
