Competing in the Super Karate-do World Grand Prix at Okinawa provided an experience of a lifetime for six, passionate martial artists.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Training out of Jin Ryu Kan Martial Arts Academy in Inverell, under chief instructor Nick King's guidance, the students were invited to the birthplace of Karate for the competition on August 10 and 11.
After three months of solid training, the local fighters returned home with nine medals to show for their impressive performances.
King came out of retirement to compete along side his daughter Anya and son Sam, Will Cripps, Nigel King and Chris Cooper.
Two days before the competition, the local fighters landed in Tokyo and managed to fit in some training at the Koshiki Karate-do headquarters.
"It's one of the oldest dojos in Japan so it was really cool to go there and get some training in before competing.
"The Canadian team was there at the same time we were, so we actually got to train with those guys and see what they were about."
Feeling confident, the group travelled to Okinawa and had a rest day before heading straight into two days of seminars and workshops.
Everything from self defense to kicking and punching was covered in the educational learning days.
Heading into the competition, King knew the Okinawa and Japanese teams would be strong, but the dedication shown by his fighters during training was a confidence booster.
King received a gold medal for his kata, beating a Japanese 2020 Olympics Karate team member; he won by one point.
Up against a Canadian ex-world champion in the finals, King also received gold in his division for fighting.
Passionate, young fighter Cripps won gold in his fighting and bronze in his kata; a deserving medal after training hard in preparation.
Nigel received gold in his kata and Cooper won bronze for his kata and his fighting.
Young Sam received a silver medal after making it through to the final, he lost on a points decision against a Japanese component for fighting. While Anya received a silver in her kata division.
"The rest of the Australian team did really well too. The reason this whole experience was so special to me was because I fought in the birthplace of Karate alongside my kids and to make it on the podium all together was so special," King said.
The stellar results made it clear to King that as chief instructor, he was ticking all the right boxes at Jin Ryu Kan Martial Arts Academy.
"Karate is all they do in Okinawa, everything is martial arts related so the results make it clear we're teaching all the right things needed on a high level."
He said overall, the trip was a unique cultural experience for not just the adults, but also the young competitors.
"My kids learnt how to use chops sticks in the first three days. There were so many other countries competing and when the kids weren't fighting, they were playing with kids from so many other cultures.
"The friendships made out of it was the most special thing."
The Jin Ryu Kan Martial Arts Academy will now prepare for the NSW Country Karate Championships which will be hosted in Inverell.
King said three rings will be set up at Holy Trinity School Hall where teams from across the region will compete on October 20.
