Little club steps up on big stage
The Ka¯ piti Karate Academy had a successful outing at the annual Manawatu¯ Karate Championships.
The Palmerston North School of Karate hosted the tournament at St Peter’s College in Palmerston North with 160 competitors from around the lower North Island.
Ka¯ piti presented a young squad of 12 students ranging from five to 13 years old.
For a lot of the squad it was their first time competing with some members having only practised karate for a couple of months.
“Some of them have been doing Karate for up to four years and some only a month or two,” said Kapiti Karate Academy instructor Allan Youl.
“Everybody did fantastically, we are very proud because it is an absolute cauldron in the ring with so many spectators and contestants and judges watching you.
“A lot of our team were first timers, they were incredibly brave.”
The Ka¯ piti team received several awards with Drew Joy coming in first place for the 11-13 year old Boys Intermediate Kata (forms) with Oliver Pringle coming third in the same event.
Sophie Yeoman came third in the 7-8 year old Girls Kumite (free-sparring), Bella Mulheron came third in the 9-11 year old Girls Intermediate Kumite (freesparring) and Oliver Pringle got another placing coming second in the 10-12 year old Boys Premier Kumite.
“They are all experienced Karate competitor’s now. A lot of our team that didn’t get awarded still got through several of the heats and progressed to the semifinals. I think they were all very proud of themselves, and a little bit exhausted.
“The highlight for me and my fellow instructors was seeing our little club step up on the big stage and represent Ka¯ piti so well.
“The kids, their families that supported them and the instructors all had a lot of fun.
The next tournament is in Wellington later this year.