NEW SOUTH WALES ROUND TWO - 18th May 2008

More new clubs, eager contestants and a pumped-up audience set the scene for some great martial arts action at the NSW round two tournament on 18 May. With over 28 different schools attending, sportsmanship and martial spirit were again the winners in some very close and thrilling battles, with some parents commenting that they had never seen their children perform so well.

After the official bow-in, the competition began with all clubs and contestants coming out firing. The team from the University of NSW Taido club put on a spectacular display, taking the trifecta of first, second and third in the Senior Demonstrations. Not to be outdone, the Pee Wee Forms showed a glimpse of future champions, with first-time competitor Taylah Stevens from Go-Kan-Ryu Karate taking first place over Jerry Lu and Jesse Truong, both from Praying Mantis Kung Fu.

Growing numbers of competitors in the 10–11 years 5th Kyu–Black-belt group meant the forms division was going to be a tightly contested event. Some excellent focus and techniques were displayed, with Eric Xu of Chikara Karate winning out over Derek Wu from Praying Mantis Kung Fu and Brenden Williamson from Go-Kan-Ryu. In the 12–13 years 10th Kyu–6th Kyu, the crowd were treated to some fine performances, which saw Lihnida Veleski from Arjuken Karate claiming first place over Mariane Hardie of FiloDo and Joshua Austin from Northern Lakes Martial Arts Club.

Impressing the judges and onlookers alike with their poise and concentration, the eight–nine years 10th Kyu–6th Kyu division needed a tie-breaker to decide the outcome. Final places went to Isaiah Reid of Goju Ryu Bushido Karate in first place with a close second to Lawrence Huang from Yee’s Progressive Martial Arts and Joel Plummer from Northern Lakes Martial Arts claiming third place.

Cheering and foot stomping from the supportive audience and team mates, accompanied the start of the sparring divisions. Many fast and furious battles took place, with the high standard of martial arts in this state again coming to the fore. Both referees and judges commented on how impressed they were with the discipline and control displayed by the competitors. Fast hands and good ringcraft were the tools for a popular win by Cristian Colonna (Go-Kan-Ryu) in the 15–17 Male Continuous division, with Matthew Papallo of World Jiu-Jitsu Federation in second place and Dylan King from Masters Black Belt Academy claiming third prize.

There was no let-up to the pace and excitement as the big boys and girls took to the floor. The Female Advanced Open division was a thrilling contest with Rebecca Tildesley from Emu Heights Self Defence getting the nod over Jodee Smith from Combat Centres Australia and Kate Golaszewski (who had travelled from Melbourne to compete) in third place.

Two stand-out events had the crowd on their feet and the roof rattling from the noise.

A big crowd gathered for the Male Veterans Point Sparring,with  team-mates from both clubs providing the cheer squads. As ‘time’ was called, Fabricio Zeledon from Goju Ryu Bushido Karate used some terrific kick combinations to claim victory over Josef Eberl of Go-Kan-Ryu, with third place going to Peter Gargalis also from Go-Kan-Ryu.

Training partners and team-mates became rivals as the Men’s Black Belt Open again proved to be one of the highlights of the day. Showing great skill and true sportsmanship, Go-Kan-Ryu claimed all three places: first Ashley Fleming, second Kieran Adele and third Dean Gould.

After such an exciting, action packed day, I’d like to ask our great team of Officials and volunteers to take a bow. It was tremendous to receive emails and calls from parents complimenting their wonderful efforts.

NAS Official Profile: Wayne Morrison

STYLE: Freestyle karate and kenpo karate

How long have you trained?
Began training in ju-jitsu in 1993, karate and kenpo since 1995.

Where do you train? 
Thompson Hall at Baulkham Hills, twice a week.

How long have you been involved with the NAS?
I started competing in NAS in 2003 and was the NSW State Veterans Forms Champion 2007. This is my third year as a NAS Official.

What made you become an NAS Official?
To be honest, my Sensei recommended becoming an official as the next step in my martial arts journey and as something I might enjoy. Now, I feel very proud to be part of something that fosters great values and sportsmanship to young people.
 
What level are you with the NAS?
Currently NAS Level 1, training for Level 2 accreditation.

What are your future goals in the NAS?
To gain my next accreditation and to grow in my role as an official. To continue to play a part in helping to promote martial arts to the young people of this state, in the healthy, safe environment that the tournaments provide.

Competitor Profile: Lawrence Huang

Style: Yee’s Progressive Martial Arts, which teaches a combination of Kempo Bushido Ryu and taekwondo.

How long have you trained?
I have trained for three-and-a-half years, since I was in year one.

Where do you train?
I train at the Drummoyne Civic Centre every Thursday night.

Can you tell us what you like about the NAS competition?
I like watching other people doing other styles, learning from other competitors and making new friends.

Best moment/memory in competition with the NAS?
My best moment in competition was winning my first NAS trophy in 2007 for kata. I performed a pattern called To-san.

Have you a favourite technique in competition?
My favourite technique in competition sparring is a roundhouse-kick followed up with two punches, because it is often very effective.

Favourite martial artist...
My teacher Allison Yee-Brogan. She is my inspiration and role model.

What are your future goals in the NAS?
To come first in a NAS National competition. I also want to get my Black-belt and become an instructor.

Club Profile: UNSW TAIDO CLUB

STYLE: Taido
                                        INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: Fredrik Utbult

How long have you trained?
24 years

Location of club & nights you train?
Tuesday, Wednesday and Sundays nights at the lower campus of the University of New South Wales.

How did you find out about the NAS competition?
One of our instructors searched the Internet for a mixed martial arts tournament where we could get some competition exchange.

What do you like about the NAS competition?
The friendship and happy atmosphere, and NAS also provides good competition practice for our students.

Do you find the refereeing in the NAS to be fair and non-biased?
Considering the difficulty in judging martial arts the referees might not have seen or heard of before, I think they do a pretty good job. Of course, the referees have different levels of experience in martial arts, so it is very important to mix referees of different background. It is always easier to referee a competition within your own style.

Name some of your up-coming champions from your club and how they are placing in the NAS competition.
Mandy Djongkah, Teruaki Tai, Jason Maher and Sean Killham are some examples of our Taidokas that have the potential to compete in World Championships of Taido, which will be held in Hiroshima in August 2009. They all enjoy and have done very well in NAS in the past, having collected numerous trophies.

What are your future goals for your organisation?
To open more clubs in and around Sydney, and to grow a bigger Taido community in Australia. Also, we hope for good results in next year’s World Championships in Taido.

Click to Download Tournament Results NSW Rd 2 - 18th May 2008