Double gold for karate trio
Liam May
THE Goju-kai karate dojo in Hillside made a triple swoop for gold when three youngsters came first at the Women's Day karate tournament held in Despatch.
Arden Harris, 9, Luchay Weideman, 9, and Courtney Rennick, 10, fight in the U10 age-group, but in different weight divisions.
The three karate queens won double gold medals each, for individual kata and kumite as well as the junior team kumite gold medal.
"It is obviously an exciting achievement for these young girls. They have made us and themselves very proud," said Sensei Clayton Thom, of Goju-kai karate dojo.
Luchay and Courtney have been selected for the national karate team and are due to compete in the Karate World Championship in India next year.
Luchay may be the youngest in her family, but she is the highest-ranked karate student with a brown belt. The St Theresa Primary School pupil has been involved in karate since she was five.
"I am really proud to have won. It was quite a difficult competition" said Lushay.
The Goju-kai karate dojo has been in existence since 1993 and started with a mere seven students. Today the club boasts a total of 133 members. There has been growing interest from parents and older participants who not only train, but compete to win.
Thom said Lushay's whole family has joined the club as a testament to how karate can be used as a vehicle to improve ones life.
"Many parents are now leading by example, by trying to show their children self-discipline, determination and most importantly to stop making excuses in life," said Thom.