Taihape karate kid growing up in the dojo
Erika Elers was in martial arts classes almost as soon as she could walk and is now filling up her walls with karate medals.
‘‘I’ve been doing it since I was three – both my parents had dojos [schools]. So since I was walking, I was in there six days a week, and I picked it up really quickly,’’ she said.
The Taihape Area School year 11 pupil is now a second level black belt and based at the Davis Karate Academy. She began competing when she was four and teaching privately when she was 11.
‘‘Dad’s currently studying and mum’s teaching, so I help her run the dojo in Feilding.
‘‘I just like doing karate and enjoy it, and I like getting to know the kids.’’
Erika competes in at least six New Zealand competitions each year, claiming ‘‘a lot of firsts’’.
‘‘Since [I was four], I’ve only got second place once, apart from that it’s all been firsts.
‘‘I liked training with the adults and I got used to more fast techniques training with guys all the time... It was good for me.’’
Recent wins with the Shito-ryu Karate Organisation include first place in her age group at the biennial international competitions in Canada, Japan and San Francisco, in 2011, 2013, and 2015. In July, she plans to defend her title in Japan.
Erika has both Japanese and Maori heritage (Ngati Kahungunu), and says she has been proud to perform a haka with other Maori team members at a competition in Japan.
‘‘People really noticed and it was definitely appreciated.
‘‘Then I think afterwards [that fierceness] showed in competition.’’
She hopes eventually to train as a lawyer and to find a role carrying out legal work with children, but sees karate as a lifelong discipline she will continue.
‘‘I’d definitely like to keep competing. It can be a bit traumatic, but if you want to do it and get good, then you should keep trying.’’
Seeing young people she has trained doing well in competitions is especially satisfying, she said.
‘‘I’m really, really proud of that.’’