Karate: World champs at core of Collins' year

FOCUSED: Cheyenne Collins is eyeing a world championship karate debut later this year. PHOTO/Warren Buckland

CHEYENNE COLLINS knows the apple picking season is in full swing.

The nine-and-a-half hour days he puts in as a tractor driver for Mr Apple New Zealand Limited are proof of that.

Collins, 26, is equally as committed to his karate pursuits and puts in up to four hours training each day, at least four days each week.

It's all part of the Hastings Martial Arts Academy fighter's plan to qualify for the November world championships in Japan. To achieve this he must record a top three placing at the Australian nationals in August.

"I'll get a gauge of my progress during my three fights this weekend," Collins said.

The Gisborne-born middleweight (75-79 kgs) exponent will be among more than 100 entrants from throughout the North Island in the 47th annual New Zealand Kyokushin Matsushima Championship in the Hastings Sports Centre today and tomorrow.

As he has done throughout his four years of tournament fighting since he has been based in Hawke's Bay, Collins, will rely on his slick movement.

"That's my strength and it has got me placings at most of my tournaments. Karate has helped me become a better role model and it has helped me get better skills," Collins said.

"I've learnt to fight through the pain and push myself," the Richard Wooster-Daniel Penn-trained Collins said.

"As long as I can place over in Aussie I'll be happy. We want to show the youngsters in our academy there is a pathway to follow," Collins added pointing to another fighter from his academy, Jesse Wall, has also been nominated to go through the Australasian selection process for the world champs.

Wall, 21, has been fighting since he was 11 and is no stranger to winning the open men's division and the Ultimate Men's Fighter Trophy at the annual Easter Weekend tournament in Hastings.

Wall has come a long way in the martial arts world since taking up karate when he became sick of of being a punching bag for primary school bullies.

Several youngsters from their academy will use this weekend's tournament to prove they are worthy of selection for a trip to the Aussie nationals.