Country club comes to town

Te Karaka Taekwon Do members had their own tournament at Kaiti School last weekend.

The Taekwondo calendar had been so busy, with so much travelling, that instructors Kevin and Sally Cale, and Rebekha Upston decided to run a tournament in Gisborne so that even the newest members could have a go.

With just under 50 young members, the club divided the competition into four age groups — five to six, seven to eight, nine to 10, and 11 and up.

Each age group contested four events —

• Power punch (punching a hand-held pad to get distance and accuracy).

• Flying side-kick (jumping over a ribbon that gets higher while kicking a pad on the other side).

• Line work (practised moves).

• Sparring.

Kevin Cale said the talent at the club was amazing.

This year Te Karaka Taekwon Do had student Nick Low representing New Zealand at the world championships in Italy.

Kevin Cale acknowledged the contribution of parents and student helpers in the staging of the tournament.

Te Karaka Taekwon Do operates from three locations —

Te Karaka: Mondays and Thursdays, 5.30pm till 7pm.

Gisborne Girls’ High School: Tuesdays and Fridays, 5.30pm till 7pm.

Kaiti School: Tuesdays and Fridays, 4.30pm till 5.30pm.