Beautiful Hobart turned on some cold weather with snow on Mount Wellington to welcome attendees to the 2nd TSKFA National Championships held there recently. The chilly weather was in stark contrast to the warm welcome from Sensei Alex Gjocaj and his committee who did a fantastic job of hosting the week’s events. The social events included a Welcome function for Dojo Heads, the annual Dojo Head Dinner, the (now) annual Non-Dojo Head Dinner and the Celebration Dinner where Instructors, Competitors and family supporters enjoyed a great night with good food, good music and dancing and good company. Thank you to Alex and his team for all your hard work.

It was unfortunate however, that a number of members from Queensland and Northern New South Wales could not attend this year’s event at the last moment, due to the January floods. We are sure we will see you next year at the beautiful Gold Coast. It was also announced that a team of students from Aoyama University would be attending the 2012 Nationals. Selections will take place at these Nationals for an Australian TSKF team to contest the 2012 World Championships.

All 105 attendees were treated to a first class training seminar on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Black Belts received some intensive kata training on Friday morning from Takahashi Shihan, Chief Instructor of TSKF on his first visit to Australia for 2011 from Japan. He was ably assisted by Ryozo Hirata, special guest from Aoyama University in Tokyo, Japan. Shihan was most pleased to see a consistent good standard across the floor and was also encouraged by the number of promising young students now coming through the ranks in attendance.

The Competition held on Saturday was smoothly run and most spirited, culminating in Alicia Costantino from TSKF Geraldton, WA and Ryozo Hirata, Aoyama University, taking out the double by both winning Open Womens and Mens Kata and Kumite, respectively. It was most pleasing to see a large number of junior beginner members taking this opportunity to compete at the National level and gaining invaluable competition experience.

A special ceremony was held during the Official Opening where Takahashi Shihan took the opportunity to congratulate the members who graded to 5th and 6th Dan on his previous trip, by presenting them with their framed 5th and 6th Dan certificates. It was also most pleasing to have Mrs Miura, wife of our TSKF International Honorary President, and Mrs Takahashi in attendance at these championships. The ladies ably assisted the judges in presenting special trophies to competitors at the medal presentation ceremony.

Special thanks to Bruce Arnold from TSKF Yankalilla, South Australia, for transporting all our competition gear to Tassie. Once again thanks to Sensei Alex and his team from Hobart for all your hard work in organizing an exceptional week. At the Dojo Head Meeting held during the week it was also announced that TSKFA would be organizing another trip to Japan in September 2012, to attend the annual Aoyama Gasshuku. Considering the success and popularity of the 2009 trip, it is suggested that members who wish to join this trip contact Sensei John Russo asap to put your names on the list. It promises to once again be a fantastic trip, filled with great training, great camaraderie, and an all-over fantastic experience. More news will be distributed to Dojo Heads for members in the near future.

Special thanks to Matt Young and Deb Russo for these great photos.