The club played host more than 120 entrants who came from all over the NSW and Queensland.

Three mats were in full use throughout the day with the fighting fast and furious in all age divisions.

The locals did extremely well, the star of the day being 16 year old Mahala Williams who finished the Nationals with five gold medals and a silver.

It was a mighty effort by Mahala who played with the Sydney side in the under 17 indoor hockey championships on the Friday, fought all day Saturday at Wallerawang and then returned on the Sunday to play a major part in Sydney’s title win with Mahala being one of the leading scorers of the championship.

Back at Wallerawang at the nationals, Mahala won gold in the open women sparring, under 16 sparring and finished overall adult champion and overall grand champion.

Mahala is the daughter of Rob Williams and Kim Lewis and carried on the proud record in martial arts the family boasts.

Her brother Sam is an Australian representative but declined to enter the nationals as he had just returned from the world titles in Canada.

There were a number of relieved fighters when they saw that Sam would not be competing.

Father Rob said: “It was a great effort by Mahala who was up against women much older and more experienced than her.

“Her skill, speed and aggression was too much for her opponents and she fully deserved her medal haul.

“It was a good day for our fighters, many experiencing their first bouts in competition.

“We finished with a big haul of medals and it was a good reward for the hard training they have put in over the last couple of months.

“It is a tough sport and just to compete, you are a winner.”

Thirteen local Kumiai-Ryu members took to the mats and those to gain medals were: Bill Burns a gold, Daniel Fitzgerald a gold, Brendan McPhail gold, Jim Prazner two gold, Kallie Poppett a silver and bronze, Dean Horton bronze, Ethan Stephenson bronze, Joss Wholohan a gold and silver and Logan Poppett a bronze.

One of the highlights was the presentation to Kumiai-Ryu Martial Arts Founder Kyoshi Kevin Blundell with his eighth degree black belt by Shifu Ron Goninan

The nationals were a triumph for the local club as it ran like clockwork and received warm praise from the many visitors who attended the day.

Thanks were extended to all the volunteer judges, recorders and people who helped out in any capacity to make the nationals the success they were.