Karate group spends weekend in Tu¯rangi
During Labour Weekend, over 80 members and families of Traditional Shotokan Karate-Do Federation of New Zealand Karate gathered in Tu¯rangi to celebrate the 25th Gasshuku Anniversary Seminar and Championships.
Conducted by Deputy Chief Instructor of TSKF Australia and New Zealand, Willis Shihan (Mark Willis), 8th Dan, members train, eat and sleep together over the course of the weekend.
The event has run each Labour Weekend in Tu¯rangi for the past 25 years.
It was attended by karate members from as far south as Gore and as far away as South Australia and everywhere in between.
The participants ranged in age from eight to 67 with the skill level stretching from 8th Kyu through to 8th Dan.
The Tu¯rangi Karate Club junior members did particularly well at this event, used throughout the seminar for demonstration of correct stance, technique and speed, winning 10 events out of the 16 events entered.
They also performed a kapa haka bracket reflective of Nga¯ti Tu¯wharetoa, including single poi, double long poi, tirakau as well as waiata, haka and whaiko¯rero and participating in the night show’s fire dance, twirling fire poi with skill.
The 25th Gasshuku Anniversary acknowledged those who attend the Labour Weekend Gasshuku every year, with Jess Agate (ex-Tu¯rangi Karate Club) receiving her 10 year badge and Matakatea Wanikau receiving his five year badge.
■ The Tu¯rangi Junior members received the following 1st place awards: 7th-4th Kyu Kata — Te Ao Marama Ryan
Black Belt Girls Under 13 Kata — Danica Bell
Black Belt Boys Under 18 Kata — Matakatea Wanikau
Black Belt Girls Under 18 Kata — Tangiariki Wanikau
Dojo Kata — Shania Moanaroa, Danica Bell, Tangiariki Wanikau 6th-4th Kyu Mixed Kumite — Emma Speedy
3rd — 1 Kyu Mixed Kumite — Katiana Ngata
Black Belt Girls Under 13 Kumite — Mystique Moanaroa
Black Belt Boys Under 18 Kumite — Matakatea Wanikau
Black Belt Girls Under 18 Kumite — Tangiariki Wanikau.
— Irena Wanikau