Event Report
Reflecting on the day, some real highlights stood out. The day really felt like family and friend coming together, there was a comfortable and relaxed feeling throughout. Second was so many new faces, not only from new schools, but existing ones as well. It would seem martial arts is rebuilding throughout the community, we are providing individuals with the necessary tools to cope with the day-to-day stresses, and people are realising they need what we have.
Finally, and I think this relates to the previous thought, the spirit of our ongoing competitors. Let’s face it some days are not always our best, including a loss at a tournament. Regardless of the previous result our competitors are showing strength and resilience in the continual effort to try again and improve.
Our day began as it usually does, our competitors helping make registration run efficiently. Once all competitors had arrived our NAS president and CEO Mr James Casey opened the tournament welcoming all our competitors and thanking all referees, officials, volunteers, parents for their continual support for the NAS.
To begin the competition for the day several of our black belt adult divisions were held. One thing that stood out was the increased competitors in the black belt ranks, with both previous and new competitors showcasing their skills. Veterans Forms saw Nik Kourtessis – Fighting Spirit Goju Karate place 1st, Simon Pedelty – Li-Kris-Han Kung Fu 2nd and Jillian Cole – Funakoshi, 3rd. Female Black Belt Forms saw Voephong Roczniak – GKR 1st, Jillian Cole – Funakoshi 2nd, and Danica Klasic – The Winged Dragon, 3rd. The Male Black Belt Forms saw Boshi Lui – HH Kung Fu 1st , Nik Kourtessis – Fighting Spirit Goju Karate 2nd , Simon Pedelty – Li-Kris-Han Kung Fu 3rd. The Male Black Belt adult division was exciting to watch with Eduardo Novembre – Proactive Team Freestyle 1st, Tobi Cole – Funakoshi 2nd, and Nick Spanu – GKR 3rd.
Synchronised Team Forms Adult division saw, 1st place Team Natsuko Mineghishi – Karyukai, 2nd was Team Danica Klasic – Winged Dragon M/A, Team Jill Cole – Funakoshi, finished 3rd.
Traditional Weaponry 0-12 Years saw Zhey Perry-Pivac – UMA, take 1st place, while in the adult division Boshi Lui – HH Kung Fu finished 1st, Adam Sultana – Katai Bushi Ryu 2nd, and Connor Hunt – Genshuku Karate Do 3rd. In the Creative Weapons Extreme Adult division Michael Jones – UMA finished 1st.
There were many other incredible divisions throughout the day with some highlights including –
Once again all our junior competitors were amazing, trying their hardest and showing outstanding sportship to others. It is certainly a reflection of how they are being guide by both the parents and instructors.
The Pee Wee forms saw Owen Lin – GKR 1st, Veer Goodluck – Fighting Spirit Goju 2nd, and Julian Zhu - GKR 3rd. In their Point Sparring event Oscar Furlong- Aerostrike finished 1st, 2nd was Alexander Eracleous - M.A.C.E and 3rd Noah Ismail – M.A.C.E. In the Continuous Sparring Division, Harvey Mezencev – ASSK 1st place, Imogen Kowalewsky – Proactive Team Freestyle 2nd and Jordan Aggou – Proactive Team Freestyle 3rd.
Our 8-9 Years (10th – 6th Kyu) M/F event saw Tristyn Mulligan – Fighting Spirit Goju finish 1st, Owen Arifoski – Winged Dragon M/A 2nd, Jobe Fantone – Northern Goju Karate 3rd. Forms 10-11 (10th Kyu – 6th Kyu) had Blake Bickley – Bendigo Kenpo Karate in 1st place, Bonham Hartwell – Bendigo Kenpo Karate 2nd, and Noah Aqualina – Northern Goju Karate 3rd. Our 12-13 Years (5th Kyu – Black Belt) had Ave Perry-Pivac – UMA 1st, Jash Goodluck Fighting Spirit Goju 2nd, and William Clarke – Sansho-Kan Karate 3rd.
Some junior point sparring event including Point Sparring 8-9 Years (5th Kyu – Black Belt) saw Harvey Mezencev – ASSK 1st, Jordan Aggou – Proactive Team Freestyle 2nd and Robert Preston – M.A.C.E 3rd. Point Sparring 10-11 Years (10th- 6th Kyu) – Tadym Borserio – Bendigo Kenpo Karate 1st, Caleb Formica – M.A.C.E 2nd, Marc Van Es – Funakoshi 3rd. Our Male Point Sparring 12-13 Years (10TH – 6TH Kyu) saw Lucca Rossignuolo – M.A.C.E finish 1st, Percy Winfred-Wornes – Aerostrike 2nd, and Noah Kerrigan – Border Karate School 3rd.
In the Continuous Sparring 12-14 Years, the female division had Eva Novembre – Proactive Team Freestyle 1st, Ebony Beesley – Bendigo Kenpo Karate 2nd, and Layelle Ali – Proactive Team Freestyle 3rd. The male event had Noah Kerrigan – Border Karate School 1st, Luca Novembre – Proactive Team Freestyle 2nd, and Trent Waixel – Funakoshi 3rd.
Our adult divisions are also growing, and this tournament saw more competition in the Kyu ranks and not just the black belt divisions. We will continue to build these divisions and next editorial I will ensure to add some individual results.
Thanks again to everyone that plays a role in making our NAS tournaments a success in Victoria. A special mention to Darren Ball for providing First Aid on the day, Sandra Schmid for overseeing all table officials, our referees and judges, every competitor and their families, all head instructors and school owners for continuing to bring your students to compete.
Vincent Busuttil.
State Director.
Results
Points
Photos
