Three New Zealand Martial Arts Hall of Fame members were present for the MKNZ East Coast Karate Championship in Gisborne at Labour Weekend.
Ron Discombe of Auckland, Peter Jennings of Wellington and Richard Wooster of Hawke’s Bay were among the Matsushima Kyokushin New Zealand guests who attended the firsttournament hosted by Ormond Kyokushin Karate.
Leo Proudfoot lands a fight-winning high kick as referee and martial arts hall of fame member Richard Wooster watches during the MKNZ East Coast Karate Championship in Gisborne.
Fifty competitors put in a total of 75 entries for the tournament, which was held at the Campion College gymnasium.
Competitors from Hawke’s Bay, Woodville and Wellington were among those who took part.
Ormond Kyokushin Karate (OKK) coach Zak Proudfoot said the local team did well, taking 11 first placings.
“It was a great opportunity for our young people to compete in front of the legends who came before them,” he said.
Ryder Symon lands a clean high kick during a bout at the MKNZ East Coast Karate Championship in Gisborne.
The Ormond team will look to attend the national championships next year, with the possibility of competition in Australia to gain international experience.
Results of the Ormond Kyokushin Karate team members at the tournament –
