Four world champions will be among those attending attending the locally hosted NSW Koshiki Contact Karate Country Championships, which have already attracted over 100 entries.
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A silver medalist in world championships, Newcastle fighter Kieran O’Hearn will compete against our region’s best in the October 21 competition.
“That just adds another feather in the cap for this competition that we’re promoting,” Jin Ryu Kan Martial Arts chief instructor Nick King said. He was looking forward to seeing how his students match up against the internationally ranked competitor.
Set to take over the Holy Trinity School Hall from 9.30am, the local school will dominate the long-running event, which will attract fighters from all over the state and into Queensland. Around 300 people are expected to attend.
From tiny five-year-olds right through to 60-year-old veterans, a wide range of ages will compete.
“Because we wear a safety helmet (which is like a bullet-proof helmet), and a chest guard, everything’s really safe,” King said.
“There’s no actual direct contact to the face itself, but to the armour.”
His six-year-old son Sam is excited to compete, and said he had “little hands but they do a lot of damage”.
He said he liked karate because he could keep fit and learn.
King said Koshiki was a very realistic system and “a really good spectator sport”. He said it focused on good technique and sportsmanship.
Translated as ‘hard style’ or ‘antique style’ of competition fighting, Koshiki comes from Japan, and King strives to remain linked to its roots. His immediate instructors are in Japan, and he keeps the lines of communication open to give local students the opportunity to train there.
Along with assistant instructor Greg Smith, King has been visiting dojos around the region to teach them about the style and its armour.
“Just getting people used to the equipment, getting a feel for what it’s like and building up momentum and strength for the titles,” King said.
To learn more about the Koshiki Country Championships, call 0421 088 006.
Spectators are welcome.