SOUTHERN Warriors Martial Arts members have excelled against the state’s best karatekas.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The medal haul was highlighted by a podium sweep in the novice under-15 years kata division, spearheaded by gold medallist Isha Gangavarapu.<\/p>\n
Silver and bronze went to Ameya Gangavarapu and Maximus Man, with a fourth club member, Eve Petrie, filling fourth position.<\/p>\n
Linkin Petrie continued the club’s gold medal-winning run in the intermediate under-15 years kata division.<\/p>\n
He backed up by winning the male intermediate under-16 years (62-68kgs) padded full-contact.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Southern Warriors Martial Arts dojo operator and lead instructor Camilla Barker was thrilled with the club’s overall performance.<\/p>\n
“There was a lot of tough competition which I’m proud to say we are solidly amongst,” she said.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“The calibre of competitors was incredibly strong including world champions, it was a fantastic opportunity for our students to see such quality competitors.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Encouraged to take up karate by their parents, the sisters have quickly developed a passion for martial arts.<\/p>\n
“Their mother has talked about the discipline aspect which is helping shape her daughters into strong young women,” Barker said.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“With myself and two other female instructors paving the way for women empowering women, I am confident they look up to our strong leadership.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“We have multiple national champions, who I’m sure will be interested in defending their titles,” she said.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n