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From 5-8 August 2004 the Australian National Karate Championships was held at the Banyule Netball Complex in Melbourne . Given the opportunity I joined a few of AAMA's seasoned competitors and other hopefuls, heading down to compete against the talents of the other States. (Those that attended: Ivan Keleher, Terissa Exton, Aaron Wellington, Jeremy Wellington and myself) As they Say when in Melbourne do as the Melbourners do!' so we froze (6 ° C!!) and to relax on Thursday before we all jumped into the ring (on Friday and Saturday), under the guidance of Rob, Michelle Exton's Brother (who graciously housed us), Michelle Exton, Terissa Exton, Ivan Keleher and I attempted Cross-country Skiing. Note to the inexperienced - skiing is not the best or most relaxing activity (rally driving would probably have been safer!). Ivan started off looking like he was lucky having Karate talents because he was NOT a skier and ended up proving to be a quick study waiting for the rest of us to catch up. Terissa also showed multiple talents, but not me. Less than halfway through the course I was praying that I was going to see the Nationals from the inside of the ring and not from the stands with something broken!!! Let's just say Michelle was the only one who came away with more bruises!! Friday Ivan and Terissa were competing; so readying ourselves we headed off on a road trip to Greensborough (the opposite side of a very vast Melbourne to where we were staying), to get the competition started. Surviving the Victorian roads (and my navigation [in] abilities) we found the Netball complex and started our National Championships campaign. Although I wasn't competing until Saturday, I was nervous- Questioning my sanity at voluntarily dragging my self to compete against all these young whipper-snappers (I'm so old!!), as soon as I entered the netball complex, looked around at everyone else getting ready I settled down and started looking forward to stepping into the ring and having a go. Aaron was the first AAMA rep to step in the ring. Coming third in the Juniors 60-65Kg Kumite event, setting the trend for our medals grab of the day. Terissa was up next placing third in her Cadets over 60Kg Kumite event, followed by Ivan , placing a close 2 nd in the Junior 70-75kg division, beating the Oceania champion. ( Ivan also competed in the Senior 70-75kg Division being narrowly defeated in the 1st round by 1 point on the Saturday.) Though Jeremy and I tried hard, we were unsuccessful, not placing in our events. Personally I think we came home with the best prize the experience of a National Champs and a goal to go further. The experience of competing was unreal. As daunting as a National Championships sounds, being there it's simply another competition an opportunity to put in practice the skills we learn in the Dojo against different people from different styles. Being at the venue it was hard not to get swept up in the enthusiasm of the tournament; the atmosphere felt charged with whole teams cheering for their competitors, punctuated by the bongo drums; the euphoria from those who won or placed and disappointment of those who were unsuccessful; the excitement of team-members and the spectators alike at closely fought matches; the skills displayed in the Kumite matches and the precisions and techniques of the Kata competitors. To be there and as a part of it I walked away inspired to try harder and place myself amongst it all again next year. Most importantly, all of us would never have made it to Melbourne without the help and support of those we train with. More specifically I would like to thank Sensei Keleher, Sensei Hamilton and Sempai Burrows for all their time, guidance and inspirational words that helped me on my way to Melbourne . I'd like to especially thank Ivan also for his helpful advice and sideline coaching during my matches and to Terissa for her advice as well. And as always thanks to Michelle Exton and Steve Wellington for their help and support to all of us competing in Melbourne . Overall the best part of the trip was competing and the feeling of accomplishment afterwards. While competing at my first Nationals is something I will never forget, the whole trip to Melbourne was memorable everyone going head-first into the snow (of which I was the worst), Rob (Michelle's brother) always being 1-up on Ivan cracking the funnies ( Ivan paid dearly as the butt of a great many jokes!!!), the immensity and variety of shopping at the Victorian Markets and not to forget the looks on the flight home that Michelle, Terissa and I received reliving the fun of the weekend and getting in a bit more before we were back to the real world (You had to be there)!!! Now that I'm back to the real world I am looking forward to the next 12 months of training hard to put myself in a position to go back to the Nationals next year. This year I set my goals first to get to the Nationals, then to win my first match and I succeeded. It really is all about the journey. Who knows what next year holds, but I look forward to sharing the journey with everyone.
Kumite Plus - Sports Kumite and Self Defence - CONGRATULATIONS! Kumite Plus went off with a tremendous bang on Saturday 28th February, 2004 at Murry BURROW’s Redbank Dojo with furious matches and spirited celebrations. Congratulations to Murry and members of West Moreton Academy of Martial Arts on the occasion of their 10th year Formation Celebration. I am very proud to be associated with Murry and his club members in the capacity of their Technical Advisor. I congratulate them all on the great progress that they have all made over the past 10 years. The ‘Purpose of Karate’ that states “It is not only important to develop a strong, healthy body and sound spirit but to become a good citizen” is very evident in Murry’s Dojo. We all enjoyed the skillful Kata and Self Defence Demonstrations that West Moreton members performed in honour of their anniversary. As usual the banquet after was a culinary delight, displaying the great country hospitality. Myself and all members of the Australian Academy of Martial Arts are proud to be associated with you – again Congratulations! Thanks to instructors, Perry Hamilton and Glen Irvine along with our Team Manager Steve Exton and other Australian Academy of Martial Art players who traveled to Redbank to assist with the successful occasion. Click HERE for Pictures. GENERAL INFORMATION Kumite Plus is an Australian Academy of Martial Arts initiative where players are invited to participate in Kumite Training and Match Practice events, which forms part of our Competitor Development Programme. The “Plus” refers to the added opportunities available to members to develop associated skills in Sports Coaching, Refereeing/Judging and Table Officialling.
Queensland State Karate Championships
Competitors in Tournaments
Note: All players are to proceed to the predetermined meeting area and report to the Team Manager Steve Exton promptly at arrival time stated.
Huge Success at the Queensland Open Karate Championships Over 40 members of the Australian Academy of Martial Arts competed in the Australian Karate Federation Qld Open Championships on the 20 th March, 2004 held at the Boondall Entertainment Centre. The Academy members showed great skills in winning a total of 25 gold medals, 24 silver medals and 13 bronze medals. The Australian Academy of Martial Art's members dominated the majority of the events and did so with commendable spirit. Located on the corner of Mount Gravatt-Capalaba Road and Stackpole Street , Wishart, the Australian Academy of Martial Arts now continues its high profile as the premier karate club in Qld. after being awarded the A.K.F. Qld. Club Champions in 2003. Senior coach, Graham KELEHER, said all competitors must be congratulated. Graham, the National Karate coach, sees many National medals for the Academy at this year's Australian Karate Championships in Melbourne in August.
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Pictured: Alex Roubin, 9, (left) and Vincent Ibrahim, 10, (right) members of the Academy's children's team achieved outstanding results: Alex in his first tournament received 1 st place in the fighting event for his age group; Vincent received 1 st place in the male team fighting event, 2 nd place in his Kata forms event, and 3 rd in his fighting event for his age group. Assistant Kumite coach and former Australian Champion, Ivan Keleher , in the background, is assisting the two junior competitors in their training.
