Hard work, training and determination.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Those key factors paid off for members of the Seito Shito Ryu Phillips Dojo when they karate chopped in style and brought home medals from the 12th International Taikai World Championships held over three days from July 26-28 in Freemantle, Western Australia.
Up against competitors from Japan, USA, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Argentina and Chile, Lithgow fighters performed in Kumite and Kata events.
Alex Jonker came first in the 12 to 15 years boys Kumite, while Rohan Smith placed second.
Eli Tonkin received second place in the 10 to 11 years boys Kumite.
Tehnisha Fowler-Bennett got second place in the 10 to 11 girls Kumite.
Jack Fry placed third in the adult Kyu Kata and Phil James placed first in the adult Kyu Kumite.
In addition to bringing home medals the dojo's Mathew Foran, Phil James and Aimee Kennedy challenged for their Shodan, also known as first degree black belt and were successful.
Seito Shito Ryu Phillips Dojo sensei Colin Phillips said he was immensely proud of his students and their success.
"There is a saying that goes like this.. 'if you put in the hard work success will follow' and that's exactly what our students proved to themselves, we had remarkable success with a lot of our students for the first time competing on the world stage," he said.
He said it was also a pleasure to watch many friendships being made from around the world.
"Interacting with others that share our common interest in Karate Do, wow what a weekend," he said.
Phillips also said before the event had finished members were already talking about the next one, to be held in Osaka, Japan in two years time.
Newer members of the dojo also had the opportunity to meet Soke Tsukasa Mabuni, who is the head of their style.
"It was a great honour for our members," Phillips said.
Love local news? Subscribe for as little as $2 a week. Find out how here.
Alanna Tomazin
Alanna is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on education. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at alanna.tomazin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Alanna is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on education. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at alanna.tomazin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
