Kaneda competes for USA in Austria

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Featured in the Weekly’s coverage of the Occidental Karate Club earlier this semester, Giselle Kaneda (first year) flew to Linz, Austria this past week for the 2016 Senior World Karate Championships. Kaneda, who has been training in karate since the age of 5, represented the United States in the annual event.

“I competed on the second day in an event called team kata (form) with my teammates Tanya Baeza and Jordan Valle,” Kaneda said via email. “The U.S. women’s kumite team (sparring) lost to gold medalists France and was able to come back and win the bronze,”

Though she did not bring home a medal, Kaneda added that this was the first year since 2010 that a member of the U.S. team won a medal at the event.

“Our fighter in the 75kg division, Tom Scott, barely missed a bronze and placed fifth. We went against Ukraine first round and unfortunately lost. We didn’t medal but I am proud of our performance and am honored to have represented the U.S.”

Though Kaneda may be heading home without a medal in hand, the experience she gained from competing against international competition will undoubtedly prove valuable as she looks forward to her next challenge.

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