Nikki Joel Cote

     Nikki Joel Cote was born in August 25, 1987 in Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada. Her interest in the martial arts began in 1996 when she enrolled in the local Taekwondo Club. From 1996 to 1998 she competed in numerous local tournaments and each, placed in both of her events (Forms and sparring). During this time period she also competed in the Alberta provincial Championship and won Silver in Form and Gold in sparring.
     In March of 1999, her attention turned to Karate and the challenges it would pose. She then joined her current club, the Northern Tigers Shotokan Karate Association founded by Maestro Bernardo Fabia Salinas. Nikki is also a Arnis practitioner a traditional Filipino Martial Arts of stick fighting taught by Maestro Salinas. At first she trained with the club two days a week and then her belt level progressed, her training increased to four days per week.
     Nikki first tournament with the Northern Tigers was in Tumbler Ridges, British Columbia, where she placed first in both category Kata and Kumite. Since then she has attended several tournaments and has placed in each. Nikki received the Sportsmanship award in Team Competition given by the tournament coordinator of her superb performance fighting against a competitor holding a Blackbelt. During competition in a local tournament, she earned mostly a gold and silver in every categories team kata, team kumite, individual kata and Kumite. She won silver in Kata and Kumite in Western Canadian Championship 2001.
     Nikki was a member of a demo team in Karate, and Arnis Filipino Martial Arts. In June 2000 she was awarded the Sensei’s Award, followed by the Most Outstanding Student of the year 2001. Last June 2001 she received an honorary belt promotion from Maestro Salinas on her superb participation and completion of the Intensive Training in Martial Art.
     During regular training sessions, Nikki also injoy assisting the younger members of the club she is a good leader. Martial Arts has taught Nikki discipline, self control, confidence and respect, as well as providing her with an opportunity to continue with an ongoing fitness program. Nikki considers the members of her club not teammates, but part of her Martial Arts family.