Seven members of the Vilcu's Karate Klub from Estevan and Weyburn competed in a pair of provincial and national championships on Oct. 20 in Prince Albert.

The Saskatchewan Martial Arts Association provincials were held in conjunction with the Continental Open Martial Arts Association national open championship, allowing athletes to compete in both tournaments.
Five members of the club earned gold at nationals.

Andre Stefan captured gold in forms and weapons sparring, Michelle Hogg earned gold in weapon sparring, Alex Van Staveren took gold in point sparring, Billy Vilcu was first in weapons forms and Dena Bachorcik earned top spot in point sparring.

Hogg also won silver in forms and point sparring, while Van Staveren picked up a trio of bronze medals in forms, weapons forms and weapon sparring.

Meanwhile, Darcey Rooks earned silver in forms and weapons sparring and bronze in point sparring. Trinity Rooks was fourth in forms. Darcy King finished fourth in kick boxing, point sparring and weapon sparring.

In the provincial championship, five members of the Vilcu club were crowned provincial champions: Van Staveren (point sparring), Vilcu (weapons forms), Bachorcik (point sparring), Hogg (point sparring) and Trinity Rooks (forms).

Provincial runners-up included Stefan (forms and point sparring), Darcey Rooks (point sparring and forms) and Van Staveren (weapons forms).

The club's next tournaments are Saturday in Estevan and Nov. 24 in Melville.