Congratulations to our 2023 Little Champion Karateka of the Year – Zara Deans

Zara started training with us earlier this year and has shown tremendous ability and determination in her training.  Zara has really stood out with not only her great karate technique but also the way she applies herself.

Throughout the year she has demonstrated great inner strength to rise to challenges and tackle them head on.  Participating in her first tournament as a beginner we got to see Zara’s steely reserves as although she was obviously very nervous she showed her determination to push herself forward to compete and did very well.

Zara is a great example for all of us of what can be achieved if you take responsibility for your own success and push through any challenges.

Our 2023 Senior Karateka of the Year is

Milli Mansbridge.

Milli is still young and part of the Karate Kids program but also trains regularly in the Seniors with a level of maturity past her age. Milli has taken her karate to another level this year with the focus on the Soke Cup, and her great attitude in class.  There is always a smile on Milli’s face, and you know she is always trying her hardest.

Milli has the great ability to relate to students of all ages. She is a favourite of the Little Champions and is looked up to by many, especially the young girls as a great role model.  When new Little Champions arrive for their first class she can always be relied upon to bond with them and help them overcome their nerves to join in the class.

Milli has tackled many challenges throughout the year and always pushed herself to overcome her fears and doubts and grow as a result.  Kumite has always been a challenge for Milli and not something she has always enjoyed but she has not shied away from it and as a result developed more confidence in her abilities. This is a great example for all of us to follow when facing challenges that may scare or intimidate us.

As a valuable member of the dojo we all look forward to being part of Milli’s karate journey as she works towards even greater achievements.

Congratulations to our 2023 Budoka of the Year – Kazumi Tominaga

Kazumi Senpai has been a valuable part of the Gold Coast dojo for a long time and provides a wealth of knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and language to benefit us all. As a liaison for our Japanese visitors she is invaluable.

Kazumi is a great example of what the Budoka of the Year is all about. She trains hard when she is at the dojo, she trains hard at home. She is always polite and respectful. She is unassuming and understated. Most of all she is a great karateka.

At the Soke Cup this year Kazumi excelled winning gold in her divisions for Sai and Bo, silver in kata, and bronze in team kata. In a year where she was balancing her work, study and karate this a fantastic reward for her efforts.

It can not be overstated what a terrific example of karateka Kazumi Senpai is to everyone. If we all adopt her fantastic attitude, plus her understanding of peace, perseverance and hard work we will all be better people because of it.

Congratulations to our joint winners of the 2023 Karate Kids Karateka of the Year – Siani Symons and Carter Lovelock.

This is the first time we have ever had joint winners but both of these karate kids stood out and are worthy of this special recognition due to their tremendous year.

Siani has really stepped up her training this year attending as many classes as she can and also assisting in the Little Champions classes as a leader.  Siani has shown through out the year that she is a focused, thoughtful student who looks to help others in the class as well as focus on her own development.

On numerous occasions throughout the year Siani has approached instructors for what she needs to work on. The strength of Siani is she then goes away and works hard on those areas and as a result makes great improvements in her karate technique. This may seem like a simple way to get better (andit is), what it does require though is self-discipline, focus and mindfulness to achieve. Great attributes that will see Siani achieve success not only in karate but anything she puts her mind to.

Carter has always been a good student but this year he has taken his karate to another level through hard work and determination. Carter’s attitude has been fantastic. He is always working hard whether that be on his own before class or during class, and always with a big smile on his face. Carter is determined to follow the karate way and will always be the one to kiai, and respond to instructions with an enthusiastic hai.

At our summer grading Carter unfortunately was not ready to pass with a few technical areas still to work on. With such a great student this was a very hard decision to make as we like to see those students that work hard rewarded, and I am sure it was disappointing for Carter as well. From this though Carter showed just how strong his character is. The very next class he was in, before the class had even started he was practising his kata trying to improve and asking for advice all with the same great attitude he has always shown. This was a fantastic example of student who trains to get better not just to collect belts and awards.

The most pleasing bit about Carter’s performance this year is that others have started following the example he has set and started working just as hard and as focused. This is a great compliment to Carter to see him develop in to a natural leader through his actions.