CANADIAN COMPETITOR SPOTLIGHT – ELYSE GORRELL

CANADIAN COMPETITOR SPOTLIGHT – ELYSE GORRELL

Article by Andrew Cabilan (Canada Sport Karate Media Services)

Canada has long been a haven for fierce Female point fighters.  The homeland of many top fighters, both past and present, another name you can add to Canada’s talent-laden roster is Ottawa native Elyse Gorrell.

Unlike most young ladies who desire to be a ballet dancer, gymnast or figure skater, Elyse always liked doing what her older brother did.  During the popularity of the Ninja Turtles, Elyse’s brother was interested in taking Karate lessons so she tagged along with her brother and signed up at Douvris Martial Arts in Kemptville.  The rest, as they say, is history.

It was during this time that Gorrell dedicated her studies under the direction of Sensei Earl Horvath.  Enamoured with the competitive aspect of Karate, especially point fighting, Gorrell also sought instruction from Master John Douvris – the producer of such World Champions such as Robbie Lavoie and the Aversa brothers (people that Gorrell has the highest regard for) and other upcoming talents such as Kelsey Friedlander and Chenoa Cassidy-Matthews.  With many talented fighters surrounding Gorrell, it comes to no surprise that her most admired people are those that she trains with, especially Master John Douvris and Sensei Earl Horvath.  The tight-knit family-like bond that Gorrell has with her Douvris camp keeps her motivated - pushing her to work harder when they feel she is slacking.  But most of all, she enjoys the comraderie and fun that comes with training with good friends and family, which includes sister, Danielle.  Gorrell is definitely in good company since she observes the keen work ethic of her peers and mentors and always pushes to the limit to establish the same work ethic for herself.

Elyse made her big mark this year at the U.S .Open by claiming the Women’s Super Lightweight title – her first major NASKA win as an Adult.  However, her Sport Karate highlights date back to her Junior years when she captured a Gold medal at the WKA Worlds in 2008 and various National and Provincial titles.  At the 2010 WKC Worlds, she entered her first major competition as an Adult and claimed a respectable Silver medal finish.  Elyse notes that even though she loves any of her individual wins, her most memorable moments occur when she is part of a Team Fight – especially when she fought for Team Canada at the 2010 WKC Worlds.  To her, the support and motivation experienced during a Team fight is much more exciting and rewarding and keeps her constantly inspired.

When asked which direction she wants to take her competitive career she simply answered that she wants to compete in “different circuits so I can become a well-known and respected woman point fighter.”  Listing Chelsey Nash as one of her toughest fighting opponents, she recognizes that people like Nash set the Women’s Fighting bar high.  Because of this, Gorrell is always seeking ways to improve her skills to reach that bar and make a name for her on the global stage.  She believes that even though it’s easy to get discouraged and frustrated, every competition one enters is a learning experience.  Whether one wins or loses, something new is learned each time and that will promote self-improvement. 

Elyse admits that Karate is a dominant part of her life and has no regrets leaving extra-curricular sports such as track and field to pursue this path.  Elyse is currently pursuing post-secondary studies at Carleton University in Ottawa but still manages to put in an ample amount of time of training to meet her personal goals.  Still at a young age, the future is definitely bright for this Ottawa native.  With one NASKA major under her belt, expect more to come in the near future.  Although major teams have not discovered her (yet), she proudly dons the black and silver apparel of Team Douvris.  As she says, “Once a Douvris girl, always a Douvris girl.”