Belleville teenager headed to National Karate Championships

By Bevan Hamilton 

BELLEVILLE – Julia Wilson has a chance to bring karate gold back to Belleville next month after being chosen to represent Ontario at 2016 National Karate Championships.

Although she’s just 13, she has already kicked her way to the national stage.

Wilson, a Grade 8 student at Queen Elizabeth Public School, earned her spot at the national championships by winning a tournament in Toronto.

“Ecstatic. I’m so excited. I definitely couldn’t have done it by myself. I had to have (sensei Kenzo Dozono), of course, to push me and it’s all about hard work and determination.”

Karate isn’t just a pastime for her.

“I’m really passionate about it. I find it really fun and it definitely keeps you fit. It’s just been a big part of my life since I was 10 years old and I didn’t think I was ever going to make it this far. It’s opened so many doors for me.”

Although it’s the highest level Wilson’s achieved so far, she said she hopes to go much farther.

“I plan to keep going until I am a higher belt than sensei (Dozono). I just hope when I’m older to open a dojo of my own and teach my own students.”

Wilson won’t be going to the championships without a couple of wins under her belt. She has already won several tournaments as well as the Karate-Ka award in 2014 for her academics and discipline in karate.

The national championships will take place in Richmond, British Columbia from Jan. 29 to 31.