Karate kids kick back in Hawke's Bay

More than 80 people from throughout the North Island came to Napier to learn, teach and brush up their karate at the third annual gasshuku, or training weekend.
Local school Shotokan Karate Hawke's Bay hosted the event which drew students and teachers from Wellington, Auckland and Palmerston North.
Organiser Edmond Otis, who is the most senior shotokan karate trainer in the country, said the turnout was so high they would have to look at expanding next year.
"It was great," he said. "Next year we might look at adding an extra day or some additional sessions."
Competitions went well, with Hawke's Bay participants taking out a number of top spots in the beginner and intermediate classes. The Bay branch has been operating for just three years so had no advanced competitors.
Competing was just a sideline for the weekend, which had a focus on learning new things from different people.
"It's mostly a chance for students to learn from other people and from different perspectives."