Five gold as Southern Warriors excel at state champs

SOUTHERN Warriors Martial Arts members have excelled against the state’s best karatekas.

Seventeen representatives from the Ballarat-based club saw action at this month’s Shinkyokushin/Kyokushin Victorian State Championships tournament in Werribee for a return of five gold medals, five silver and three bronze across all divisions, including kata, non-contact and padded full-contact.

The medal haul was highlighted by a podium sweep in the novice under-15 years kata division, spearheaded by gold medallist Isha Gangavarapu.

Silver and bronze went to Ameya Gangavarapu and Maximus Man, with a fourth club member, Eve Petrie, filling fourth position.

Linkin Petrie continued the club’s gold medal-winning run in the intermediate under-15 years kata division.

He backed up by winning the male intermediate under-16 years (62-68kgs) padded full-contact.

Multiple state and national champion Rhys McKinely added more gold in the male under-18 years non-contact and Alana Johnston-Chan won gold in the novice over 15 years kata.

Amanda Commons-Treloar won bronze in the female open non-contact, while Elliott Marson won silver and male under-18 years non-contact bronze in the intermediate over 15 years kata.

Southern Warriors Martial Arts dojo operator and lead instructor Camilla Barker was thrilled with the club’s overall performance.

“There was a lot of tough competition which I’m proud to say we are solidly amongst,” she said.

“It was great to see students stepping onto the mat for the first time as well as experienced competitors continuing to challenge themselves and pave the way for the younger ones.

“We had some first time competitors as well as multiple experienced state and national champions with their sights set on achieving back-to-back wins.

“The calibre of competitors was incredibly strong including world champions, it was a fantastic opportunity for our students to see such quality competitors.

“It’s really important for the students to experience a competitive environment as it gives them an opportunity to test their skills on a real stage with rules.”

A massive thrill for all involved with the club was the one-two finish by Isha and Ameya Gangavarapu in the novice under-15 years kata.

Encouraged to take up karate by their parents, the sisters have quickly developed a passion for martial arts.

“Their mother has talked about the discipline aspect which is helping shape her daughters into strong young women,” Barker said.

“Ameya has already declared she wants to win the tournament next year as well as compete in non-contact, and Isha has received glowing feedback from a very experienced karate instructor, with over 50 years of experience, who acknowledged her technique as exceptional, and destined for the world stage.

“With myself and two other female instructors paving the way for women empowering women, I am confident they look up to our strong leadership.”

Barker said the focus for club members would now turn to up-coming national events and for some a potential tilt at international level competition.

“We have multiple national champions, who I’m sure will be interested in defending their titles,” she said.

“Achieving a title is challenging enough let alone back-to-back titles in any sport, so we will canvas this opportunity as well as possibly making our debut international tournament since my leadership at the club six years ago.

“I myself have competed at an international level twice and it’s something every serious competitor should strive for, standing on the world stage with the best of the best.”