WODONGA’S Riverina Martial Arts school has proven to be the training ground for some of the best fighters in the country after two of its students won national titles at the weekend.
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Nine students and their Senpai Daniel Wallace made the trip to Sydney for the Australian Kyokushin Karate Association's national tournament.
Nine-year-old Ryan Ford placed first in the non-contact Kumite category while Lachlan Hill placed first in the adults middleweight division for Kata, and second in contact Kumite.
Mr Wallace coached the group to prepare them for the event and said that the standard on the Border was up there with the best in the country.
“Kata is a set fighting movement, some are 20 moves and some are 40 or higher,” he said.
“They announce the name of the Kata and then the competitor performs it and is judged on technique, the way they walk and their stances.
“Kumite is continuous fighting against an opponent and it has non-contact and full-contact categories.
“We really do have national talent right here on the Border and our fighters did phenomenal.
“They train two to three times a week at the dojo and these guys do their own stuff outside as well.
“For nationals this is probably our best year and we are proud as punch.”
Nine-year-old Kayden Grantham also managed to get a placing, coming third for Kata in his age group.
Mr Wallace said it was remarkable that 12-year-old Jack Hocking was competing in the contact Kata, with that being an achievement in itself.
“It was a fierce competition and these guys are champions for getting out on the matt,” he said.
“There is no protection out there.
“Jack didn't get a place, but he’s a 12-year-old in full-contact and that’s something we haven’t seen in a long time.
“Our organisation only started full-contact for kids this year so for him to compete was unbelievable.”
Cooper Grantham, Brianna Ford, Piper Rust, Zell Rust and Dale Martin also represented the school at the tournament. The students will now look to compete in the Riverina Championships in Griffith in October.
Pictured above are (front row): Cooper Grantham, Ryan Ford, Lachlan Hill, Kayden Grantham, Piper Rust, and back, Sempai Wallace, Zell Rust, Gordon Wells, Jack Hocking 12, Dale Martin and Brianna Ford 14.
We really do have national talent on the Border and our fighters did phenomenal.
- Daniel Wallace
