The day got off to an early start, and as the crowd streamed in, the Male Black Belts staged some thrilling entertainment with their skill and tenacity. It was great for the young ones and parents to see these champions in action. Taking out first place in the Forms, Dean Gould just edged out Go Kan Ryu team mate Ben Cunningham with Vincent Xu of Chikara Kenpo Karate a very close third. The finals of the Point Sparring brought loud support. Vincent Xu took the fight to Chikara Kenpo Karate team mate Lucas Palmero as the score card ticked over with some stunning points. Nearing the end Vincent found his mark to take out the bout and the State Title. The crowd showed their appreciation and a great day was underway.
Next, as competitors and officials lined up for the bow-in and welcome, I had the opportunity to congratulate all competitors and clubs, to thank our terrific sponsor, Sensei’s Martial Arts store, and to acknowledge the huge effort from our hard-working Referees and Judges. This was greeted with loud applause from the crowd and competitors alike and a huge cheer when we announced our intention to return home from the Nationals with the Presidents Cup in our grasp!
Now it was down to business as combatants focused on their goals, training and discipline kicking in!
A classy display of up and coming talent in the Pee Wee 7yrs Point Sparring saw young Amy Lee from Budo Ryu Kempo take the day with a determined Andrew Graydon of Bujutsu Martial Arts claiming second place. The skills of young Stan Testard of Double Dragon Shotokan earning him third spot.
Whilst in the 8-9yrs 10th-6th Kyu Sparring event the talents of Oliver Appo of Northern Lakes Martial Arts earned the points from the Judges in a close tussle with the focused Marko Jugovic from Gradens Martial Fitness. Marko’s team mate Nikola Skoric fought hard for a close decision in third place.
Proving they are fierce competitors and ones to watch for the future, the fighters in the 10-11yrs Continuous Sparring produced some close decisions. In the Female event, Issabella Ceuppens of Kinetic Martial Arts used terrific ringcraft in taking first place against the skilled techniques of Tegan Jenkins of Isshogai Do Kai Karate. Fellow Kinetic member, Maria Vergados was strong on the day in claiming third place ahead of a very strong field. Whilst in the Male division, Daryl Chan of Double Dragon Shotokan won out on the day in a close final with Jackson Stair of Imugi Taekwondo. Gordon Clark of Isshogai Do Kai Karate taking home third place.
A crowd favourite, competitors in Demonstrations and Traditional Weapons Divisions got the chance to show just how entertaining they can be. Again, poise and teamwork were on show in some impressive displays. Standout performances in Junior Demo’s were turned in by Team Fighting Fit: Jared Abbott, Holly Harrison and Kaitlin Saunders and also Ethan Gair from Fire Phoenix Martial Arts. Whilst in Senior Traditional Weapons, years of dedication and finely tuned skills were on show with the crowd really appreciating this level of expertise. William Bond of Jow Ga Kung Fu had all eyes on his display, while Bruno Baldacchino of Mudgee Martial Arts and Mark Szalajko of Bujutsu Martial Arts drew loud applause for their skilled performances. A special division at the State Titles is the Synchronised Team Forms. This event takes great team work and practise. It’s wonderful to see the dedication to ‘get it right’ on the day. Great performances in the Juniors from Team Double Dragon and Northern Lakes Martial Arts, while some fine precision in the Seniors from Team United Taekwondo and Team Chikara Kenpo Karate.
The Adult Continuous events drew animated crowd support. Claiming victory in the Veteran Male event was Bruno Baldacchino of Mudgeee Martial Arts from John Marchand of United Taekwondo and Darren Lea of Washin Kan Karate in third. The female division saw a great battle between Sandra Stendardo of United Taekwondo and Julie-Anne Maher from Mudgee Martial Arts. The Novice divisions produced some exciting bouts, in the Female event Sian Fawcett of One Martial Arts claimed the day from Jeannie-Bell Mason of Imugi Taekwondo and Shamsia Moosawi from AAHYA Shotokan, while in the Males, a number of split decisions saw Sayed Mehdi Jaafari of AAHYA Kung Fu take first from Ryan Miner of WashinKan Karate and Asif Sultani representing Kombat Academy.
Some other notable performances on the day came from Tobey Watkins (Chikara Kenpo Karate), Alex Assaf (Evolution Gym) and Hugh Higgins (Imugi Taekwondo) in the Male 12-13yrs Point Sparring and from Abbey Simshauser (United TKD), Jet Lambert (Kinetic Martial Arts) and Jessica Dale (Isshogai Do Kai Karate) in the Female 12-13yr event. The Female Black Belt division also produced some tough, close tussles with Alisha Rasmussen (Go Kan Ryu) Alice Carrett (Black Belt Martial Arts)and Kelly O’Brien (Imugi Taekwondo) taking home the places.
What a great day and an absolutely fantastic year of competition for NAS NSW, full of camaraderie and sportsmanship. It has been an honour and a privilege to be involved in such a wonderful event and to see so many talented and focused athletes perpetuating the arts in such great spirit. It has also been a great pleasure to work so closely with the dedicated and professional men and women that makes up our great team of Ring and Table Officials and helpers. They have all worked so hard this year to bring the highest possible standard to each event. My sincere thanks to each and every one for job well done and one you can be proud of. My thanks also to Jennaya & Leigh Bowman for a great job capturing all the action with the camera.
Now it’s off to Melbourne for the 2014 National Championships! New South Wales has gathered some superb martial artists from many and varied styles and disciplines, bonding into a powerful and focused team…TEAM NEW SOUTH WALES! We aim to reclaim the Presidents Cup…and put all states on notice… we are coming to Victoria to do what we do best…WIN!!
Any instructor or club, who would like to become part of the exciting NAS action in 2015, please give Gary Palmer NSW Director a call on 0410 335 937 anytime.
NAS NSW Australian Referees Board Officials 2014 
On behalf of Mr James Casey, Chairman Australian Referees Board & NAS President I personally wish to thank all members of the NAS NSW Referees Board and pass on my gratitude and congratulations to all of you for an out-standing year of Officiating and supporting NAS!
You really are the best of the best! We have had a tremendous year, made possible by your contribution.
Your efforts have earned the respect of all the attending martial art schools, coaches and competitors. By putting others first you have displayed dedication, professionalism and true martial spirit!
I am really looking forward to seeing you at this year’s National Championships in Melbourne and for another exciting year of competition in 2015.
CLUB PROFILE 
INSTRUCTOR NAME:
Shihan Darren Lea 7th Dan
STYLE:
Washin Kan Karate Do.
