Kate Campbell will compete in karate at the Pan Am Games

Kate Campbell will be the first woman from Atlantic Canada to represent the country at the Pan American Games in karate.

The 24-year-old from Fredericton has 10 national titles under her belt and now she's gearing up for the international competition.

She said winning at the Pan Am Games next month is more about strategy than strength.

"Karate is like a chess match. We all get to a certain point where we are all fit, we are all really strong and we are all really fast but it comes down to who knows how to play the game better," she said.

Campbell, who has been known for years as Karate Kate, is gearing up her practice for the competition that begins next month.

She's been training four hours a day and six days a week. She is getting ready to leave for Toronto next weekend to continue her training closer to the site of the upcoming games.

Campbell said she does not mind this ramped-up practice schedule.

"What don't I love about karate? It's just something I've done since I was five, so I don't know another way of life," Campbell said.

Donald Mazerolle, her long-time sensei, has trained Campbell since her first day in the sport.

"She's a positive role model for all the juniors. And I see that in the juniors, because they try to mimic what Kate is doing. It's all about Kate," Mazerolle said.

The Pam Am Games are from July 10 to 26 in Toronto,