Kiana Pilon began training in martial arts at the age of five and hasn’t looked back since.
The soon-to-be 15-year-old student at W.H. Croxford High School says the sport started as a hobby, before turning into a passion.
“I started karate because I watched the Karate Kid movies,” says Pilon.
“It is a great sport. It teaches you about respect and that it’s important to work hard.”
Pilon obtained her junior black belt, and eventually her black belt in Shotokan Karate in 2018.
She’s competed on the world stage across North America and Europe, representing Canada for both the World Karate Commission and World Kickboxing and Karate Union. She won her first world championship title and two other world championship titles in 2019 and 2021.
Now, Pilon is training in a new style of martial arts called Zen Karate. She hopes to eventually obtain her black belt in that style and continue competing on the world stage for Canada.
Nominator and former soccer coach Terry Fink quickly realized Pilon’s talent, both on the field and on the mat.
“She was always a very hardworking, team-oriented player with great footwork. She is a quiet, humble honours student who excels at all she does.”