Timaru has once again taken top honours at the New Zealand Kyokushin Karate nationals in Napier.
Eight members of the Timaru dojo competed in the June 14 event, and Senpai Bob Drummond said the fab four of Maximilian, Soraya and Constantine Hunt, along with Miglia Schicker, were successful in defending their senior team kata title, which they won last year.
This year, all were competing as a team of black belts for the first time, as Miglia had recently passed her shodan grading.
Ngakoea Ruru had her first fight at national level and came up against a well-seasoned opponent on debut.
She more than held her own until she received a punch to the face, bringing her fight to a halt until her bleeding subsided.
Drummond said that unfortunately, when the fight resumed, the decision went the other way.
‘‘Ngakoea earned a lot of respect and admiration for not giving up, which is the essence of Kyokushin Karate, and did our dojo proud in the process.’’
The dojo would now focus on preparing for the South Island tournament, to be held in Timaru in August.
Drummond said the event was held every two years and attracted a lot of North Island competitors.
He said Trust Aoraki’s continued support had enabled the dojo to compete at national level. — APL
