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karate KIDS C
KARATE IS A SPORT THAT TAKES DISCIPLINE AND DEDICATION TO MASTER AND YEARS OF TRAINING AND SACRIFICE TO ACHIEVE BELTS AND GRADES. SEVERAL LOCAL COFFS COAST YOUNGSTERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS, AND THEIR EFFORTS NOW SEE THEM HEADED TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
an you briefly tell us about the sport and a bit of background? After more than 25 years, the Kaigan-Kan martial arts school in Coffs Harbour reopened two years ago under the direction of the acclaimed Hanshi, Bill Young. The full-time studio is run in Coffs Harbour by accredited WMAA instructors, Tony Capararo and Ron Abela, and offers a positive and safe environment for learning martial arts. What style of karate do you teach? Students at the Kaigan-Kan school learn a blend of traditional and modern martial arts. Specifically, Kaigan-Kan provides training in traditional Shotokan Karate forms, self-defence and weapons training. But most importantly, Kaigan-Kan focuses on the development of body, mind and spirit and encourages respect, honesty and group learning. What are the benefits to young people who take up the sport? Martial arts are very beneficial to kids, as they help kids foster self-discipline, boost socialisation skills and encourage physical activity. But interestingly, they also help kids develop better listening skills and learn how to set and achieve goals, which in turn increases self-esteem and instills a sense of respect. Despite it being considered a fighting sport, Karate actually encourages a nonviolent conflict resolution and develops teamwork, but most importantly the benefits of martial arts training don’t end in the studio. The boost in confidence, increased fitness level and new cooperation skills will also help your child navigate the academic and social
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aspects of school, plus have a positive effect on his or her behaviour at home and have an allround good influence on them as they develop into an adult. Several Kaigan-Kan students recently enjoyed success at the International Sport Karate Association (I.S.K.A.) Australasian Karate Championships. Tell us a bit about their achievements ... Five Kaigan-Kan students represented Coffs Harbour at the recent event, which hosted over 300 competitors in what in the martial arts world is known as the I.S.K.A. “Best of the Best” competition. Their outstanding results were: C A D E N WA R D • 2015 National Champion 1st (12 - 13 Years Mixed) - Traditional Weapons • 2015 National Champion 1st (12 - 13 Boys Years Advanced/Black Belt) - Traditional Forms • 2nd (12 - 13 Years Boys Advanced/Black Belt) Sword Combat • 3rd (12 - 13 Years Boys) - Sumo SAM BLEECHMORE • 2015 National Champion 1st (10 - 11 Boys Years Advanced/Black Belt) - Traditional Forms • 2nd (10 - 11 Years Advanced/Black Belt) Sword Combat • 3rd (10 - 11 Years) - Traditional Weapons JESSIKA SANDRY • 2015 National Champion 1st (10 - 11 Girls Years Advanced/Black Belt) - Traditional Forms BELINDA MILLER • 3rd (12 - 13 Years Girls Advanced/Black Belt) Traditional Forms • 3rd (12 - 13 Years Girls Advanced/Black Belt) Sword Combat • 3rd (12 - 13 Years Girls Advanced/Black Belt) -
Continuous Sparring Coffs Harbour. This event promises to bring over • 3rd (12 - 13 Years Girls) - Sumo 200 competitors from throughout NSW and ANTHONY ABELA Qld to Coffs Harbour as one of the first official • 3rd (12 - 13 Years Advanced/Black Belt) I.S.K.A. sanctioned tournaments of 2016. Traditional Forms Have they competed at this level before? How long have they been training for Caden, Anthony and Belinda this event? have competed in the I.S.K.A. The Kaigan-Kan tournament tournament season in Australia team have been training with previously, but 2015 was the Martial Arts instructors Tony Capararo, first year for young Sam are very Ron Abela and Katherine and Jessika, and they have , beneficial to kids Emerton for this event all done us and themselves, ds ki lp as they he year and have competed e, lin and of course their ip sc di lfse foster in over 10 I.S.K.A. events n io at is al parents very proud. ci so t boos throughout 2015, from age In addition, both skills and encour .” the Northern District Anthony Abela and Caden physical activity Regionals hosted in Coffs Ward represented Australia Harbour in March to events in the I.S.K.A. US Open held in Bathurst, Windsor, Maitland, in Florida in 2015, bringing home Singleton, Liverpool and the Gold some outstanding results: Coast. Only the top ten in each category Anthony Ablea - 3rd (12 - 13 Years Black Belt were entitled to compete at the Australasian Boys) - Musical Forms. 5th (12 - 13 Years Black Championships, which was held on 29 Belt Boys) - Traditional Forms. November 2015. Caden - 3rd (12 - 13 Black Belt Boys) Where do they go next? Traditional Forms, 5th (12 - 13 Black Belt Boys) The 2016 I.S.K.A.World Championships are - Traditional Weapons. being held in Sindelfingen, Stuttgart, Germany Where can people go to find out more? in May. Kaigan-Kan Karate Do Coffs Harbour is Our Coffs Harbour tournament team located at 2/12 Keona Circuit, Coffs Harbour, members are all eligible to compete on the and 2016 classes commence at the beginning of Australian team, as they placed in the top three the school term; we welcome kids and adults. at the Australasian Championships or are in the For enrolment enquiries, please contact Ron on top 8 of the I.S.K.A. Rankings for the year. But in the meantime, the I.S.K.A. 2016 season 0409 113 900 or email kaigankancoffs@live. com.au or for more information go to www. kicks off all over again, with Kaigan-Kan hosting kaigankancoffs.com one of the early tournaments, the Northern District Regionals, on 6th March 2016 here in Interview with Ron Abela, Owner/Director.
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