Karate New Zealand Nationals

KNZ Nationals Results

 

Hamilton Wado-Kai sent a team of 21 down to Wellington to compete at the 2009 National Karate Championships and National Secondary Schools Championships.  This year there was an increase in entries, and a combining of the age groups into 2 year brackets which made a very competitive tournament. Club Sensei Robbie Smith commented that the Children’s divisions this year were extremely competitive; which bodes well for future development of athletes entering into the national competition pool. 

           

The club team this year composed of experienced national team members and many new and younger members who entered their first National Championships.  Club coaches were extremely pleased with the results and performances of all the students.  Sensei Robbie mentioned that in all cases regardless of the results students managed to perform their best on the mat and did the club proud.

 

Once again Hamilton Wado-Kai managed the exciting final of ‘3-on-3’ Team Kumite in the Combined age category. The first competitors being 12-13yrs (Daniel Johnston), the second player being 14-15yrs (James Grace) and third player being 16-17yrs (Isaac Smith).  The Male team called Wado-Kai Falcons won the NZ Open in Christchurch and managed to fight off the challenge from FRK Fushin Ryu to become National Club Champions.

 

Equally proving their worth were the Female team (Larissa Smith 12yrs, Sarah Bryant 14yrs, and Alison Oliver 17yrs) who also won the National title beating our second female team in the final.  An all round great performance from the club.

 

The younger Team Kumite Division (6-7yrs 8-9yrs and 10-11yrs) was won by Fushin Ryu, just beating our Wado-Kai A team.  Wado-Kai B Team where placed 3^rd.

 

Outstanding performances this year were from our Captain; Isaac Smith (17yrs) who made four finals and was placed 3^rd in Kata, Vice Captain Sarah Bryant also had a fantastic tournament making 3 finals.  Sarah has drawn the attention of national coaches and selectors.

 

Congratulations Team.

 

 

A Word from the Team Captain

Having competed at a number of National Karate Championships, I was a little bit apprehensive about being named Captain of one of our club’s largest teams to date; this was due to the fact that in my time competing in the children’s divisions, I have given out my fair share of stress and headaches to coaches. However, I was extremely pleased to find that none of the kids who came down this time saw fit to give me the same kind of grief. I was extremely impressed with how the team conducted themselves on and off the mat, and was pleased to see that all members of our team gave it their all. I would especially like to thank Sarah Bryant, James Grace, Alison Oliver, Kate Bryant and Larissa Smith, who were extremely helpful and made my job too easy, not to mention the Parents; who patiently sat in the stands looking after everyone’s gear. Thanks everyone for a fantastic all-round effort that made me proud to be a member of Hamilton Wado-Kai Karate club.

 

Isaac Smith.

 

 

 

Below are the results:

 

Posted: Wed 15 Jul 2009

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