Karate club punches above its weight at state championships

BALLARAT’S Southern Warriors Martial Arts Club has laid the groundwork for a successful and jam-packed 2025 tournament season following a strong showing at the Victorian State Karate Championships in Werribee.

Ranging from seven to 47 years of age, the club’s 17 participants combined for five first places, nine second places and three third places across all divisions, including non-contact, kata and padded.

The tournament was held on 30 March.

Dojo operator Camilla Barker praised a fantastic effort by the Southern Warriors team and crew of coaches and instructors.

“There was a lot of people competing for the very first time, which is always a bit scary, but good on them for showing the courage to step onto the mat and have a go,” she said.

“Five first places, nine second places and three third places was a great result.

“We did this tournament two years ago, but I’m looking to make it an annual thing moving forward.

“The results this time around were probably a little bit better.

“There’s a couple of our kids, who generally pop out a first place or a second place, so that always helps the overall performance.

“Elliott Marsen and Rhys McKinley are some who always manage to pick up a first or second place.”

Notable performances were produced by Adelle Marson, who entered all divisions, including padded contact for the first time, and won, and Lachlan Treloar, who also competed in padded for the first time, against a tough, experienced full-contact fighter.

Barker made special mention of Alex Mann, the club’s oldest competitor at the championships, who competed in full-contact for the first time.

Matched against a competitor more than half his age, Mann pushed his 20-year-old opponent to the brink, with the decision going against him by one flag.

“Despite the age difference, his opponent had a fair bit more experience than Alex and looked pretty fluid and comfortable on the mat, whereas Alex was stepping onto the mat for the first time,” Barker said.

“The rounds were two minutes long and it was a draw, meaning they had to fight for a further two minutes and he lost by a one-flag decision.

“It doesn’t get any closer than that.”

Club members will next compete at the Best of the Best teams event tournament in June, ahead of the national championships in New South Wales in August and a New Zealand tournament in November.