Before the official bow-in QLD State Director, Mr. James Casey held high to all attending the Presidents cup of which the QLD State team brought back from the 2009 National Championships...there was a great roar and stamping of feet from all attending, Mr Casey personally congratulated all competitors for an outstanding Nationals he then also thanked the QLD coaches for their contribution in winning the Presidents cup. QLD Coaches left to right: Shane Degney, Matthew Rogers, Delio Senatore, Ben Samin, Frank Mechler, Sue Sandford, Petrus van der Walt and John Cosson.
Congratulations to all attending what a great day of competition!
Male black belt division got off to a good start with excellent numbers participating. Finals: Mark Stone, Seishin Zen Ryoku came up against Khai Tran, Seishin Ryu Karate in a fiery match. Both men exchanged excellent combinations during the bout, however Mark being the taller opponent used his front kicks to his advantage outscoring Khai to take the match.
Junior divisions set the pace for the day. Finals: the competition was hard and fast with Jackson Wensley, Aust Shaolin Kempo taking out first place in the Pee Wee's sparring with Phoebe Mechler, Freestyle Kungfu second.
1. Finals: 10 to 11 yr 10th – 6th Kyu sparring
Mitchell Drew came up against team mate Jade Goonan; Freestyle Kungfu, Mitchell kept the pressure on right from the bell out scoring Jade to take first place.
2. Finals: 10 to 11 yrs 5th Kyu to black belt point sparring finals
Gabriel Soner was too strong on the day defeating team mate William St Baker, both being from Seishin Zen Ryoku.
Junior and senior weaponry where among the highlights of the day with some fine martial arts performances.
3. Finals: Junior division
was taken out by Merinda Folkard, Harvey Bay Kobudo runner up Shannon French, Seishin Zen Ryoku.
4. Finals: Senior division
Cheng-Yu Hsieh, Southern Shaolin Wushu first place, runner-up Steven Taylor Seishin Zen Ryoku.
5. Finals: Female black belt point sparring
Nicky Kennedy KenshinKan Karate 2009 National Champion came up against her arch rival from the Nationals Sherry Bower, JKA Shotokan. In a fiery match, point for point both girls scored with neither girl backing down. The closing stages of the match Sherry scored with two quick reverse punches to take the match and first place.
Congratulations must go to all our officials for an outstanding day of officiating and to Mr William Rogers, Queensland Technical Director and all Officials & staff. Special thanks to Caroline Soner for all the action shots.
We look forward to seeing everyone at Round 2 on the April 18th at the Carrara Sports Stadium. It is going to be a big one!
6. NAS Official Profile
Name: Nick Noordink
Style: Bonsai Karate
How long have you trained?
12 years
Where do you train?
Brisbane Aspley, Chermside & Wavell Heights
How long have you been involved with the NAS?
Competition – 4 years
Official – almost 2 years
What made you become an NAS Official?
While competing at NAS I really appreciated the high Standards of the NAS referee's and Judges. Once I was teaching Karate and my students were entering into NAS tournaments, I became really interested in becoming an official, so I could teach my students effective practices, to give them the best chance to be competitive.
Also as an instructor I wanted to have a better understanding of different types of martial arts, I feel having referee's and judges from a broad range of different styles and clubs (Like NAS) present a fair and Non-bias competition and for self improvement, I feel NAS refereeing and judging is an exciting new skill.
What level are you with the NAS?
Level 1
What are your future goals in the NAS?
To increase my levels, and become competent enough to be the lead referee in the ring.
Another goal I have is to see more of my students perform at NAS tournament, and be highly competitive.
7. Competitor – Profile
Name: Eleine De Klerk
Style: JKA Shotokan Karate
How long have you trained?
I started training when I was only a few years old in South Africa where I grew up, but then when my family moved to Australia found it easier to find a strong club within a different style of karate then to find a club within my old style that felt comfortable. So I have been training in Shotokan karate since 2003.
Where do you train?
JKA Beenleigh
Can you tell us what you like about the NAS competition?
The thing I like about NAS the most would be fighting competitors of the different styles, it really allows for me to see different fighting techniques that other martial arts use, and try to find ways to combat the differences.
Best moment/memory in competition with the NAS?
The best moment I had within NAS would be at Nationals in 2009, fighting for the Queensland junior points sparring team, the atmosphere was amazing.
Have you a favorite technique in competition?
Reverse punch would be my favorite, because it nice and simple and is really fast, but the same techniques don't always work on all fighters so I like to try a variety of techniques on my opponents.
Favorite martial artist...
My martial arts idol would have to be my own sensei, Petrus van der Walt. He always makes really complicated techniques look really simple, and constantly amazes me with his abilities.
What are your future goals in the NAS?
My future goal in NAS would be to do better in forms, as it is not getting the results that my fighting is, but all you can do in the end is train harder every training and hope for the best on the day.
8. Club – Profile
ATA Martial Arts Australia.
An affiliation of the American Taekwondo Association
Instructor Name: Sue Sandfort
Style: Songahm Taekwondo
How long have you trained?
20 years – 7 years of that with the ATA
Location of club & nights you train?
Our full time training facility is located in Deception Bay. We train Monday through Thursday.
How did you find out about the NAS competition?
Google – ATA has a huge network and tournaments every weekend all over the USA, however, we are the first ATA school in Australia, so do not have the ability to travel overseas more than twice a year. We decided to search for onshore tournaments and discovered NAS.
What do you like about the NAS competition?
It gives our students the opportunity to meet new people, and to gain experience as well as an appreciation for Martial Arts in general.
Name some of your up-coming champions from your club and how they are placing in the NAS competition...
Although we are new to NAS, we have quite a large team of students who are now competing in NAS this year. We discovered NAS in round three last year. Ryan Sirmais, Matthew Sirmais and Kyron Chalk all successfully competed in NAS in Melbourne last year. It was a great experience and all three boys had a good time.
What are your future goals for your organisation?
Our goals are to continue teaching Songahm Taekwondo, helping our students set and reach their goals and focus on important Lifeskills, such as respect, honor, courage, self control, sportsmanship and perseverance to help them reach their best potential and successes in life.My future goals in the NAS is to achieve the highest level of accreditation. To set an example to new officials to be fair and honest when judging and refereeing. To make new friends and share my experience.
