Lanteigne brings home gold from Junior Pan Am Games

BY SABRINA BYRNES

Justin Lanteigne did Sudbury and Ontario proud as he brought home the gold medal from the Jr. Pan American Games held in Chile Sept. 1 to 7.

Lanteigne, a 15-year-old black belt from Benoit's Martial Arts, was the first in Ontario to ever win a gold medal in his Kata division at the Jr. Pan Am Games.

"It's a really good feeling. It's kind of overwhelming at first, but it's something to be proud of," commented Lanteigne.
"It was really stiff competition. Everyone was really good. From Venezuela to Bolivia, all the countries were really strong. It was really good competition."

Lanteigne has been training at Benoit's since he was seven years old. He was won the WKA Championships, the NBL Championships, won a bronze and silver medals at the National Championships and now a gold at the recent Jr. Pan Am Games.

The athlete said he loves the sport and enjoys the hard training that goes along with it. He added the sport is very technical and very detailed. "I'm a perfectionist, so that's probably why I do well in it. I like to be really precise with what I do, and I just like the overall aspect of karate," he said.

Lanteigne had only one goal in mind when he went to the Jr. Pan Am Games:

"I just wanted to do my best. I knew that there was going to be a lot of tough competitors. I just went in there knowing that as long as I did my best, I'd be happy. That's what I did," he said.

Don Benoit, Lanteigne's instructor said he had no doubt his student was going to do well in Chile.

"Justin is very dedicated, hardworking, conscientious individual," he said.

Benoit said that he thinks this is just the beginning for Lanteigne, given the fact that he still quite young.

Lanteigne said his next goal is to compete at the nationals next year. He also wants to compete at the WKF Championships next year as well.

"I don't have any doubt in my mind that he will succeed," his coached concluded.