Varsity Performance Karate in the News
2026
June 6, 2026 — Saanich Athlete Earns Bronze Medal at International Karate Championship
Varsity Performance Karate athlete Ella Crowle earned silver in the U21 women’s −68 kg kumite division at the 2026 Senior and U21 National Karate Championships in Halifax, securing her fourth national medal in five appearances. The University of Victoria student discussed her development under longtime coach Kraig Devlin, the relationships she has built through international karate, and her preparation to represent Canada at the Pan American Championships in Rio de Janeiro.
June 4, 2026 — Saanich Karate Athlete Secures National Silver, Eyes Pan Am Stage
Varsity Performance Karate athlete Joann Huang earned silver in the cadet female kumite under 54 kg division at the 2026 Junior Karate Canada National Championships in Edmonton. The St. Andrews High School student credited her coaches, teammates, family, and school community for supporting her development and is now preparing to represent Canada at the 2026 Junior Pan American Karate Championships in San José, Costa Rica.
March 4, 2026 — Greater Victoria Celebrates Banner Stretch for Karate Competitors
Varsity Performance Karate athletes Ella Crowle, Yashita Kaku, and Joann Huang were selected to represent Canada at major continental competitions in Asunción, Paraguay. Crowle was selected for the Junior Pan American Games, while Kaku and Huang were selected for the Junior Pan American Karate Championships, with Varsity founder and coach Kraig Devlin accompanying the athletes and highlighting the importance of their dedication and training partners.
June 3, 2026 — Team Canada Delivers Best Pan American Championship Result in a Decade
Karate Canada reports that the national delegation earned 17 medals at the Senior and U21 Pan American Championships in Rio de Janeiro. The article documents the overall outcome of the championship for which Ella Crowle was selected and Kraig Devlin was listed as a supporting club coach.
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May 25, 2026 — Karate Canada Announces 2026 Senior and U21 Pan American Championship Roster
Karate Canada announces its team for the 2026 Pan American Championships in Rio de Janeiro. Ella Crowle was selected in U21 women’s −68 kg kumite, while Kraig Devlin was listed among the club coaches supporting the Canadian delegation.
January 26, 2026 — New High Performance Committee
Karate BC announces the members of its new provincial High Performance Committee. Kraig Devlin was appointed alongside Pam Ross, Kenny Lim, Toshi Uchiage, and Ashtin Callaghan.
2025
August 25, 2025 — Junior Pan American Games: Team Canada Recap
This article reviews Canada’s participation in the Junior Pan American Games karate competition in Paraguay. Ella Crowle is recognized as one of the six athletes who represented Team Canada at the multi-sport Games.
July 29, 2025 — Team Canada Nominated for Junior Pan American Games in Paraguay
Karate Canada announces six athletes nominated to represent Team Canada at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción. Ella Crowle earned her nomination through her performances at national and international qualification events.
June 2025 — U14, Junior, and Cadet Pan American Championship Team Announced
Karate Canada announces the youth team selected for the U14, Cadet, and Junior Pan American Championships. Varsity athlete Joann Huang was selected in U14 women’s +52 kg kumite.
May 30, 2025 — WKF Senior Pan American Championship Results
Karate BC reviews the performances of its members at the Senior and U21 Pan American Championships in Mexico. Ella Crowle is identified among the British Columbia athletes representing Canada at the continental competition.
May 2025 — Senior and U21 Pan American Championship Team Announced
Karate Canada announces its team for the Senior and U21 Pan American Championships in Monterrey. Varsity athletes Olivia Brodie and Ella Crowle were both selected to the U21 women’s kumite roster.
January 11, 2025 — Karate BC Celebrates Our 2024 Athlete Assistance Program Grant Recipients
Karate BC announces six athletes receiving provincial Athlete Assistance Program funding. Ella Crowle was awarded support to assist with the costs of continued high-performance training and international competition.
2024
December 10, 2024 — Climbing Escalade Canada Welcomes Kraig Devlin as High Performance Director
Climbing Escalade Canada announces Kraig Devlin’s appointment as its High Performance Director. The article highlights his Olympic leadership experience across the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 cycles and his background in high-performance program development.
August 30, 2024 — 16 Karate BC Members to Represent Canada at PKF Junior Championships in São Paulo
Karate BC announces the provincial athletes selected to the Canadian Junior National Team for the Junior Pan American Championships. Ella Crowle is included among the 16 British Columbia athletes selected for the event.
July 2, 2024 — Two Boxing Athletes Named to Canadian Olympic Team for Paris 2024
Boxing Canada announces Tammara Thibeault and Wyatt Sanford as Canada’s Olympic boxing athletes for Paris 2024. Kraig Devlin is named as Team Leader, marking his second Olympic Games after leading Karate Canada at Tokyo 2020.
2023
December 2023 — Karate Canada Celebrates Medal-Winning 2023
Karate Canada reviews a year that included karate’s Canada Winter Games debut and extensive international success. Ella Crowle is recognized among the Canadian silver medallists at the WKF Youth League in Mexico.
September 25, 2023 — BC Results in the WKF Karate-1 Youth League, Mexico
Ella Crowle earned silver in U21 women’s −68 kg kumite at her first WKF Youth League competition. The article includes Ella’s reflections on representing Canada, connecting with international athletes, and appreciating the support of her coaches.
September 21, 2023 — WKF Karate-1 Youth League, Mexico
Karate BC previews the Canadian delegation attending the WKF Youth League event in Mérida. Olivia Brodie and Ella Crowle are both named among the British Columbia athletes competing internationally.
August 23, 2023 — KBC Members at the Pan Am Junior Karate Championships
Karate BC recognizes the provincial athletes and coaches attending the Junior Pan American Championships in Santiago, Chile. Ella Crowle was among the athletes, while Kraig Devlin attended as a club coach supporting Canadian competitors.
2023 — Junior Pan American Championship Team
Karate Canada announces the national team selected for the 2023 Junior Pan American Championships. Ella Crowle was selected in junior women’s −66 kg kumite following her national championship performance.
July 2023 — Canada’s Best Shine at Nationals
Karate Canada’s national championship recap lists Ella Crowle as the silver medallist in junior women’s −66 kg kumite. The result helped qualify her for further international representation with the Canadian Junior National Team.
July 2023 — Ontario Takes Over Lead at National Champs
This national championship report includes Olivia Brodie’s bronze medal in U21 women’s −55 kg kumite. It documents her continued success at the national level following her two-medal performance at the Canada Winter Games.
February 23, 2023 — Crowle, Gurin Win Canada Games Gold
Varsity athlete Ella Crowle went undefeated to win the women’s +59 kg kumite title at the 2023 Canada Winter Games. She defeated Quebec’s Justine St-Jean 3–1 in the final and helped British Columbia finish as the leading karate province at the Games.
February 21, 2023 — Brodie and Alkurdi Golden in PEI
One day after earning kata bronze, Olivia Brodie won the women’s kumite gold medal at the Canada Winter Games. She completed an unbeaten run through the draw and defeated Quebec’s Maroua Mokdad 5–0 in the final.
February 20, 2023 — British Columbia Wins Double Gold
This report covers the first day of karate competition in Canada Winter Games history. Varsity athlete Olivia Brodie earned bronze in women’s kata after defeating New Brunswick’s Emilee Goodine in the medal round.
2022
December 23, 2022 — Announcing BC’s Canada Winter Games Karate Team
Karate BC announces the nine athletes selected to represent the province at the 2023 Canada Winter Games. Varsity Performance Karate athletes Olivia Brodie and Ella Crowle were both named to Team BC for karate’s first appearance at the Games.
July 12, 2022 — Kraig Devlin Joins Boxing Canada as Interim High Performance Director
Boxing Canada announces Kraig Devlin’s recruitment as Interim High Performance Director. The appointment extended his high-performance leadership career into a second Olympic combat sport following his work with Karate Canada at Tokyo 2020.
February 22, 2022 — 2022 Karate Canada Senior Team Trials Summary
Karate BC summarizes the return of major national competition at the 2022 Senior Team Trials in Calgary. Kraig Devlin is recognized among the club coaches who supported British Columbia athletes through the selection event.
2021
July 2021 — Victoria’s Devlin Savouring Rare Olympic Moment for Karate
This profile focuses on Kraig Devlin’s participation in karate’s first Olympic appearance at Tokyo 2020. It discusses the significance of the opportunity for a long-serving karate coach and high-performance leader from Victoria.
July 2021 — Island Athletes Ready for a Most Unusual Olympics
This Times Colonist Olympic preview introduces Vancouver Island athletes and sport leaders preparing for the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games. Kraig Devlin is included in the coverage as Karate Canada’s High Performance Director and Olympic team leader.
June 2021 — Canada Qualifies First Karate Athlete for Olympics
This national sport article reports Daniel Gaysinsky’s qualification as Canada’s first Olympic karate athlete. Kraig Devlin was part of Karate Canada’s high-performance leadership and coaching group preparing the Canadian team for karate’s Olympic debut.
April 18, 2021 — Saanich Teen Awarded $1,800 Karate Canada Bursary to Pursue Officiant Certification
This article profiles Varsity athlete Malia Brodie after she received a Karate Canada bursary to pursue officiating certification. It describes her extensive karate background and her development beyond competition into another important role within the sport.
2020
March 10, 2020 — Varsity Performance Karate Athletes Qualify for the 2020 National Championship
This article announces Varsity athletes who qualified to compete at the 2020 Canadian National Karate Championships. It recognizes their results through the provincial qualification process and the work required to reach national-level competition.
February 9, 2020 — Saanich Karate Kid to Represent Vancouver Island at Upcoming BC Games
This article profiles Varsity athlete Kaiya Gibbs before she represented Vancouver Island at the 2020 BC Winter Games. It discusses her qualification, preparation, and opportunity to compete in a provincial multi-sport Games environment.
2019
December 9, 2019 — Five Gold Medals for Victoria Karate Club at the 2019 BC Provincial Championships
This article reports five provincial championship titles for Varsity Performance Karate athletes. The results reflect the club’s growing success at the highest level of provincial competition.
November 19, 2019 — Eight Medals at 20th Annual Sato Cup for Varsity Performance Karate Team
The Varsity team earned eight medals at the twentieth annual Sato Cup. The article documents the club’s results at another established British Columbia karate competition.
October 7, 2019 — Nine Medals at the Victoria Open for Varsity Performance Karate Athletes
This local competition report covers nine medals won by Varsity athletes at the Victoria Open. It highlights the club’s performance on home ground and continued competitive development across its team.
June 4, 2019 — 16 Medals for Victoria Karate Club at the 2019 Canada Open Karate Competition
Varsity Performance Karate athletes earned 16 medals at the 2019 Canada Open. The article highlights a substantial team performance at a major open competition involving athletes from beyond the local region.
May 13, 2019 — Victoria Karate Teens Bring Home Medals from the Junior National Karate Championships
This article covers medal-winning performances by Varsity athletes at the Canadian Junior National Championships. It recognizes the athletes’ national-level results and their development within the club’s competitive program.
February 17, 2019 — Victoria Club Shines at 2nd Annual Vancouver Island Karate Championships
This article reports on Varsity Performance Karate’s results at the second annual Vancouver Island Karate Championships. It highlights the club’s local competitive success and the performances of its developing athletes.
February 7, 2019 — Karate Coach Kraig Devlin Takes National Role
This Times Colonist report covers Kraig Devlin’s appointment as Karate Canada’s High Performance Director. It positions the appointment within his extensive career as a Victoria-based karate coach and national-team leader.
January 24, 2019 — Kraig Devlin Is Karate Canada’s New High Performance Director
Karate Canada announces Kraig Devlin’s appointment as its first part-time High Performance Director. The article notes his previous interim management work, national-team coaching experience, and graduate education in high-performance coaching.
2018
December 13, 2018 — Victoria Athletes Earn Gold at Karate Provincial Championships
This local report recognizes gold-medal performances by Victoria-area Varsity athletes at the provincial championships. It documents the club’s increasing presence within British Columbia competition.
November 21, 2018 — Victoria Karate Club Wins Seven Medals in Vancouver
This competition report highlights seven medals won by Varsity Performance Karate athletes at a tournament in Vancouver. It documents an early team result for the newly established club and the development of its competitive athletes.
October 29, 2018 — Saanich Karate Athletes Win Eight Medals in Campbell River Tournament
This local sports article reports on eight medals earned by Saanich-based Varsity karate athletes at a Campbell River competition. It highlights the breadth of the club’s results across participating athletes and divisions.
August 2018 — Saanich Karate Kid Wins Bronze at Pan-American Championships
This follow-up story reports on Olivia Brodie’s performance at the 2018 Junior Pan-American Karate Championships. It recognizes the Varsity athlete’s international bronze-medal achievement after competing against leading young karate athletes from across the Americas.
August 17, 2018 — Saanich Teen Takes Her Karate Skills onto the World Stage
This profile follows Varsity athlete Olivia Brodie as she prepares to represent Canada at the 2018 Junior Pan-American Karate Championships in Rio de Janeiro. The article discusses her national championship results, long-term commitment to karate, and training under Kraig Devlin at Varsity Performance Karate.