Chris Van Reenen and Bella Mulheron in the Takasaki Arena. Photo / JKA New Zealand
Chris Van Reenen and Bella Mulheron in the Takasaki Arena. Photo / JKA New Zealand
Two members of the JKA New Zealand Kāpiti Coast branch have competed in a global karate tournament.
Chris Van Reenen and Bella Mulheron were among the 25-strong New Zealand contingent that participated in the Funakoshi Gichin Cup 16th Karate World Championship Tournament.
About 1800 competitors from 52 countries participatedin the tournament held at the Takasaki Arena in Gunma, Japan.
Van Reenen and Mulheron were selected because of their results in a North Island championship, which all the JKA (Japan Karate Association) clubs from New Zealand participated in, and other performances during the year.
Van Reenen, a 43-year-old senior instructor, who is a third degree black belt (sandan), took part in the open category.
“We’re already talking about competing in the next tournament.”
Competitors at the Funakoshi Gichin Cup 16th Karate World Championship Tournament. Photo / JKA New Zealand
Van Reenen has been taking part in karate from a young age when growing up in Pretoria, South Africa.
“My mother Gerty said ‘you need to do karate’.”
After a break during his teens, his passion for the sport has stayed strong.
“I love the values karate teaches me, but also the ability to put what I practise into practice.
“Karate founder Gichin Funakoshi said ‘The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants’ which I feel is true to what I do.”
Mulheron, 18, a second degree black belt (nidan), took part in the 16-18 age group.
She didn’t progress past the first round in the kata (patterns) but got through three rounds in kumite to make it into the top 32 which exceeded her expectations.
She said taking part was a “huge privilege, a lot of hard work, but hugely rewarding”.
