Cayden Adlem at nationals competing to qualify for the world championships.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Lisa Adlem
October 06, 2024 - 6:00 AM
A Kelowna boy is set to represent Canada in Japan at the Karate World Championships later this month.
Cayden Adlem has been involved in karate since he was just four years old. Now, 13 years old, he'll be competing with the world's best.
“When my husband came home and told me that they had qualified for worlds, I think I had tears in my eyes,” Cayden's mom Lisa Adlem said. “I didn't believe them at first... it's just so amazing.”
Cayden has competed in national events and has medaled in every competition he has participated in. The next level is competing with athletes from different parts of the world.
Nine competitors from Kelowna, including Cayden, are competing in Gunma, Japan. The competition goes from Oct. 25 to Oct. 27.
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Cayden is especially excited for this trip since Japan is the birthplace of karate and is the root of his interests. He's excited to see the culture surrounding the sport in its home nation and to take on new challenges from diverse groups.
He practices karate six days a week and while currently a brown belt holder, he'll be testing for his black belt in November after he gets back from his World Championship trip.
“I'm so proud, like so over the moon proud," Lisa said. "He's just so dedicated and he's just so good at it... it's amazing to watch him.”
Cayden is also currently a senpai, or, a junior coach, to the kids who are younger than him who are still learning in his current practice area.
The whole family is excited for the trip to Japan.
“I think it's going to be an experience of a lifetime,” Lisa said.
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