It does seem all too appropriate that Sudbury native Ocean Avery is riding a wave of success in karate in recent years.

(see what I did there – sic)

It is, after all, the culmination of many, many years of training for the graduate of Lasalle Secondary School, currently in her first year of Psychology studies at Brock University in St Catharines.

Well that – and her name, of course.

Her earliest recollections of martial arts dating back to her time as a six or seven year old in the nickel city, Avery travelled that pathway that so many young athletes endure, at times enamoured with their sport of choice, at times looking for other options.

“Throughout my journey, there were points where I was highly motivated for karate and the martial arts and then points where I was fading out a little more and would focus on flag football or other sports,” noted the proud representative of KMAC (Korean Martial Arts Centre) Sudbury and freshman with the Brock Badgers flag football team.

“But it pretty much always came back to karate.”

Great choice!

Avery recently returned from the 2025 World Karate and Kickboxing Commission (WKC) World Championships in Niagara Falls (N.Y.) with no less than five medals in hand, a haul that included gold in tag team sparring and silver in Korean forms.

For as much as her general athleticism would lead her all over the spectrum of youth sports, her penchant for discovery was evidenced in her training, even within the many disciplines of martial arts.

“I’ve always tried to have a very broad base and be well-rounded in the martial arts,” suggested the younger of two girls in the family. “But ever since I was a kid, I loved the fighting, the point sparring. That was always what I enjoyed the most.”

There is, however, far more to this than just a degree of natural aggressiveness, a lack of fear when it comes to putting oneself in the direct line of kicks and punches. “When I started competing, I realized that I enjoyed the process of training and seeing it all come together, to have that two minutes when you are fighting and it all comes down to that,” said Avery.

“For me, that’s the fun part.”

Over time, like-minded competitors tend to converge as one nears the pinnacle of their sport. Factors that created a gap between competitors in their early days are negated as the combattants stare down near mirror images of themselves later on.

“When I was a kid, I had that extra little edge, but at the level I am at now, I feel that everyone has that edge,” said Avery. “I think it now comes down to how much effort you are willing to put into it, how much you train.”

Make no mistake – Ocean Avery has long been recognized for her excellence in the ring, trading blows with adversaries from all over the world in recent years (she attended her first World championships in 2019 and competed ion Portugal in 2024).

Katas – or forms – have not necessarily been her thing.

In that sense, her silver medal may have delivered her an even greater sense of pride than the gold.

“I think I kind of surprised everyone there,” said Avery. “I’m known more for fighting – but it was nice really appreciating the more traditional aspects of the martial arts.”

Largely unfunded competitions, the 2025 Worlds did require Ocean Avery and her seven other teammates from KMAC who represented the country to work together on fundraising efforts – though the trek to the Golden Horseshoe was not nearly as daunting as other championships that she has attended.

In the end, the challenge that comes from testing herself against equally matched athletes, regardless of their origin, is where the excitement lies. “Depending on where the Worlds are held, people from different countries will attend, but their numbers will vary,” said Avery.

“But there is pretty much a consistent level of competition.”

A consistent level, perhaps – if not a consistent look.

“You will see different styles,” said the northern teen. “People from England are more of a kickboxing style – and their energy is different.”

As might be expected, the jump to post-secondary has jumbled the pieces of the puzzle – even moreso given that Ocean Avery is now a five hour drive from the training venue that she long called home. Thankfully, she has connected with a group in Brampton, joining some of their athletes for upcoming events in Toronto and Chicago.

And for as much as Avery had represented the Lasalle Lancers in flag football through all four years at the school, tackling that same commitment another step up the ladder is even more demanding.

“University is more serious – and I am enjoying that – but karate has been such a constant in my life,” said Avery.

There really is no good reason to stop riding that wave.