Over 100 members attended the Inaugural TSKFA National Championships held in Perth, Western Australia commencing on Monday 22nd March at the University of Western Australia Recreation Centre. The 3˝ day training seminar, conducted by TSKF Chief Instructor Takahashi Shihan, OAM, 8th Dan and assisted by Deputy Chief Instructor Mark Willis Sensei, 6th Dan, was deemed by attendees to be a fantastic learning experience for everyone. It was also pleasing to welcome Ryozo Hirata, 4th Dan, guest from Aoyama University, Japan, the TSKF New Zealand mens team and Manager Steve McKee and members of S.K.I. Western Australia.

Members were welcomed on Sunday night by Sensei Pasco Costantino and the TSKF Geraldton Karate Academy members at the welcome social function, where it was great to meet up with karateka from all over Australia once again. Training on Monday morning, Day 1, was energetic and enthusiastic, with Shihan concentrating on basics and kata moves, followed by a number of combinations in the second session. The afternoon of the first day culminated in the wild hail storm which hammered Perth, causing massive destruction throughout the city, and certainly made a mess of personal and hire vehicles of members attending as it struck as everyone was leaving the Dojo.

Day 2 saw us back at UWA for the morning session where Shihan concentrated on kata techniques and combinations, and finishing with some pad work. Due to storm damage at the UWA, we relocated for the afternoon session to Challenge Stadium, where the legs were given a real workout with 600 maeygeri kicks, followed by concentrated teaching of Unsu kata, as demonstrated by Ryozo Hirata.

Day 3 saw us once again relocating due to storm damages to the brand new multi million dollar WA Basketball Centre, where we were privileged to be the very first group to experience this fantastic venue. Being eight basketball courts in size, running laps around the venue for warm ups was almost a marathon for everyone. Once again katas, and various exercises to enhance each kata move were the flavour of the morning session. The afternoon session kicked off with over 300 kicks, followed by some tumbling and rolling moves, followed by a 2 person combination activity.

That evening, TSKFA hosted the Dojo Head dinner which was most enjoyable, whilst a large group of younger members attended the ‘Not The Dojo Head Dinner & Drinks’, which seems to be destined to become an annual event. Thursday, a rest day was glorious weather wise, with everyone taking the opportunity to relax the sore muscles and also explore Perth and the surrounding areas.

A session of training specifically for Black Belts was held on Friday morning, Day 4, which saw kicking back on the agenda, followed by working systematically through all the higher grade katas. After the session, Takahashi Shihan had great pleasure in presenting TSKFA tie pins to all the Dojo Heads in appreciation of their support to himself and the TSKFA Board over the past 12 months.

Finally Saturday was competition day, with an early start required to allow for the full program of events to be finalised in good time. All participants conducted themselves with enthusiasm and spirit, representing their Clubs and States very well. The excitement of the day gradually built, especially just prior to the lunch break with the elimination bouts of the State Team Kumite, with members and spectators cheering their respective teams during the bouts.

All guests, competitors and spectators were officially welcomed to the Inaugural TSKFA National Championships by TSKFA Chairman Sensei John Russo, who also took the opportunity to thank Takahashi Shihan, Mark Willis Sensei, and Mr Hirata for the excellent training seminar and also the TSKFA Dojo Heads for their support over the past year. The Official Opening was conducted by Miss Alana Slater, considered one of Australia’s most successful gymnasts, after representing Australia at two Olympic games, and several World Cups and National Titles, shared some inspirational words of wisdom and support with the competitors and spectators. TSKF Geraldton Karate Academy Members Alicia Costantino and Jason Merritt read the Competitors Oath on behalf of all competitors, and presented it to Takahashi Shihan. Participants marched off and the final events commenced.

The finals commenced with all Junior Black Belt Kata events and finishing with Open Womens and Mens which were won by Tracy Pearce and Ryozo Hirata, respectively. The kumite was extremely exciting, with the Open Womens event being won by Tracy Pearce and the Open Mens final between Ryozo Hirata and Ben Skennar eventually being won by Ben in extra time. The Mens Team Kumite was won by Queensland in a closely fought battle with North Region NZ. The finale of the day was the Test Match between NZ and Australia. The kiwis commenced the bouts with a stirring haka, which really excited the crowd. This, also, was a closely fought battle, with Australia the victors with 2 wins and 3 draws in the 5 man event.

Special thanks must be extended to Sensei Pasco Costantino, his wife Sandra, and all his team for organizing such a fantastic and memorable event. The 2011 Nationals will be held for the very first time in Hobart, Tasmania from 21-26 February. Sensei Alex Gjocaj and his team look forward to welcoming as many members as possible to this special event.

Click here to view results of Nationals 2010.