Response pleases organisers

KICK DELIVERED: Chance Wimutu (left) and Mana PuhiPuhi. Picture by Paul Rickard

Sixty competitors took part in over 80 matches at a multi-style martial arts tournament organised by Tu Mana Toa Combat Systems in Gisborne.

The tournament had an underlying theme of supporting awareness of depression and suicide, and a koha was made to help the work of Ka Pai Kaiti in this regard.

Another aspect that set the tournament apart was that it catered for different styles of fighting.

A lot of time, research and effort were put into setting the rules of the full-contact side of the tournament.

Invitations were sent to martial arts clubs in the Tairawhiti district and throughout the country with the aim of putting together a competition that showcased differences in a setting where all were united for a greater cause.

Organisers were pleased with the total of 60 competitors and over 80 matches for the day.

Rangataua o Aotearoa (RoA), who incorporate kickboxing and muaythai in their instruction, and Turanga and Tikitiki/Ruatoria taekwondo clubs joined with Tu Mana Toa for the tournament.

Tu Mana Toa Combat Systems was set up in June last year by Lexx Karauria, with the help of like-minded people, to make martial arts affordable and accessible to people of all ages.

Martial arts taught in the club include taekwondo, Haidong Gumdo (traditional weaponry) and Topana Taurite (a combined martial art formulated and taught by Lexx Karauria).

Tu Mana Toa students brought to life Topana Taurite through their kata (patterns of movement) and weapons kata.

They also took part in full-contact bouts, two to four in each discipline, on a round-robin basis.

Included in the prize-giving were awards for —

Best official: Ed Karauria.

Best supporter: Melissa Mackey.

Best junior sportsman: Tiki Matete.

Best junior sportswoman: Jaykayaar Wimutu.

Senior male: Rungatera Hokianga.

Senior female: Tiahuia Turei.

Best club: Tu Mana Toa.