Over 100 trainees and competitors converged on the country town of Childers Queensland last week to attend the training seminar and competition to celebrate the 2nd Annual TSKF Queensland Championships. This event, hosted by the Childers Club, at the Childers Community Sports Stadium, marks 35 years since the inception of traditional karate in the Childers area has been deemed as ‘once of the best ever’.

The host club was most pleased to welcome a team consisting of Sensei Mark Willis, Team Leader, Sensei Grant Stove, Team Manager and Sensei Andrew Riley, Team Coach 8 junior members from TSKF New Zealand. We also welcomed members from TSKF Clubs in Lismore, Lennox Head, Coolah, Dunedoo, Kyogle, Yankalilla and Port Pirie. Members were treated to 3 days of fantastic training from TSKF Chief Instructor Takahashi Shihan, OAM, where focus was again placed on refining the basics, which, in turn would allow all other aspects of karate to fall together correctly.

Competition Day on Saturday was fiercely competitive, with good showings at all levels of competition. It was great to see a vast number of beginners, particularly in the 10-7 kyu Under 150cm category, which had to be split into 2 groups to accommodate the increased number of nominations. It was also pleasing to see that several of our young men have advanced from the ‘Colts 16-18 years’ division into the Open Men’s division, thus creating a fresh new look to the Open competition. All competitors acquitted themselves well with spirit and honour and the supporters were most enthusiastic.

The Competition was Officially Opened by TSKFA Honorary President and local Independent Member for Burnett, Rob Messenger, with guests including Paul Neville, MP and Member for Hinkler, Anthony Ricciardi, Deputy Mayor, Bundaberg Regional Council, Col Taylor and Original Member Childers Karate Club in attendance. Local Club President and Instructor, and Chairman of TSKF Australia, John Russo welcomed all guests, officials and competitors to Childers and thanked them for sharing in the celebration of 35 years of karate in the area, where he also took the opportunity to thank Col Taylor for taking the initiative to bring the Bundaberg members to Childers to assist in starting the Club. He also thanked Takahashi Shihan for his constant guidance and support of the Club during its entire history.

The finals events were hotly contested with Ben Skennar eventually taking out the Open Men’s Kata and Kumite events, and Stephanie Russo taking out the Open Women’s Kata event. Northern Rivers Team Kata team were victorious in the final of the Dojo team kata. TSKF Bundaberg was eventual winners of the President’s Cup for most points accrued by a club on the day.

The atmosphere in the stadium almost lifted the roof when the New Zealand Junior Team performed the ‘haka’ when they lined up against their Australian junior combatants, and this was echoed with a fierce and loud chorus of ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie’ ‘Oi, Oi, Oi!’ enthusiastically led by Koki Tokano. This was team kumite at its best, with each team member proudly giving their all for their country, supported by all their team members, and the spectators. The score was even throughout the bout, with New Zealand eventually coming out winners by 1.

The TSKF NZ Junior members were hosted by families of TSKF Childers members for the week, and from all accounts had a fantastic time. Thank you also to those families for making this commitment. We are sure you have all made new friendships that will last a lifetime. Special thanks must also go to Takahashi Shihan for conducting such a fantastic seminar, and John Russo and the team from Childers Dojo for organizing such a successful event. It is hoped to see everyone in Emerald next July for the next Qld championships.