The 13-year-old who was heading down a rocky path found joining Nick King's Jin Ryu Kan Martial Arts Academy therapy for negative emotions.

Just a few weeks ago, Cripps travelled to Japan after being selected as part of the Australian team to compete against 15 other countries.

His first ever plane ride took him, and one of his biggest supporters grandmother Sue Adams, straight to Tokyo.

Cripps and five other local fighters trained at the Koshiki Karate-do headquarters against members of the Canadian team.

"Leading up to the tournament we did some seminars and training. We were supposed to go to Kudaka Island but a typhoon hit so we couldn't go," he said.

Arriving at the competition, Cripps was pumped and ready to showcase his hard work and dedication, after training up to 15 hours a week in preparation for the event.

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"I was supposed to have three fights but I only ended up having two. My first fight was against a Nepalese kid a brown belt, black tip. The final score was 6-0 to me I got a good head kick in too."

After tasting victory, his second fight was against a Canadian boy who he'd made friends with during training in Tokyo.

As a yellow-belt himself, Cripps knew the Canadian boy was a brown-belt with a lot of talent.

"I remember trying to breath and stay calm. In my second fight the final score was 4-3 to me. It was close and I got punched in the throat at one point towards the end of the fight."

The punch had a force behind it leaving Cripps on the floor, but he wasn't going to let it be the end of his winning streak.

Cripps received a gold medal for his fighting. Next up was his kata and just one point separated bronze and gold.

"I got the bronze medal with 95 and sliver got 96."

A Karate museum was situated right next to the competition which allowed Cripps and his fellow Australian team mates to drop by and learn more about the history and culture of Karate.

Cripps and his mother Amanda wanted to thank all of the local businesses and residents who supported a raffle fundraiser for all local competitors heading to Japan.

"We had so many local businesses and groups generously donate prizes and money towards prizes. We also have to thank The Nationals, who invited William to a luncheon when they were in town for the conference," she said.

In seven weeks, around $9,000 was raised for the competitors which helped not only pay for entry fees but travel costs as well.

"Mum [Sue] went to a Tingha Tigers game and sold quite a few raffle tickets out there which was lovely especially after the village was hit by the fires in February."

Back on home turf, training doesn't stop for Cripps who would one day like to represent Australia at the Olympics for Karate.

He'll prepare for the NSW Country Karate Championships hosted in Inverell on October 20