Ormond Kyokushin Karate Club's Creed Norman trades kicks with an opponent at the March Match Fights & Kata tournament in Napier. Norman went on to win. Photo / World Karate Organisation Shinkyokushinkai New Zealand
Ormond Kyokushin Karate Club's Creed Norman trades kicks with an opponent at the March Match Fights & Kata tournament in Napier. Norman went on to win. Photo / World Karate Organisation Shinkyokushinkai New Zealand
Ormond Kyokushin Karate Club instructor Zak Proudfoot is hoping to have three of his students in action across the Tasman after its most successful competition.
Twelve students competed at the 2026 March Match Fights & Kata tournament hosted by World Karate Organisation Shinkyokushinkai New Zealand at Napier’s Meeanee Indoor SportsCentre.
Ruby Hoogland's kick is blocked by her opponent. Photo / World Karate Organisation Shinkyokushinkai New Zealand
It featured full-contact fighing and kata (patterns) involving martial artists from clubs throughout the North Island.
Ormond had multiple successes, much to the pleasure of Proudfoot, who said they competed “with great spirit and technique”.
Competing in full-contact divisions defined by age and grade, the club had a bunch of wins.
The highlights included victories to Taku Floyd and sisters Ruby and Angel Hoogland in their first out-of-town event and against far more experienced opponents, Proudfoot said.
Taku Floyd lands a kick to the chest of his opponent in a 2-1 win. Photo / World Karate Organisation Shinkyokushinkai New Zealand
“Catherine [Moles], Creed [Norman] and Bailey [Irland] picked up dominant wins, outclassing their opponents.
There were also “close, hard-fought matches from Ryder [Symon], Watson [Hiko] and Tom [Schroder] ... just not quite enough to get the ‘W’.”
Nathan Crosby picked up a second in the “high-grade” division of the kata.
“This has been our most successful competition effort to date,” said Proudfoot, who is assisted by Moles. “I am very proud of the growing skills our students showed.”
Proudfoot said results from this and a tournament last year had earned Moles, Angel Hoogland and Norman New Zealand squad selection for the Australian nationals.
Getting to that would depend on funding.
Proudfoot, who has built up a club of 45 to 50 members at Ormond with little promotion, is keen to see his students continue their progress and test themselves at the higher level.
