Karate: Medal haul for Whangarei

Cameron Sear, 14, won gold for Kumite and bronze for kata at the tournament. Photo/Supplied

Whangarei karate club Miyagi Kan is returning from the Central North Island Karate Champs in Tauranga with 11 medals.

The tournament is a prelude to the Australian Open in April followed by the New Zealand Open in Christchurch, where the club will also represent Whangarei.

However, the big event of the year for the club will be the world karate youth camp in Croatia where they will have a chance to train with current and former world champions for a week before taking part in a tournament.

Cameron Sear, who won gold for Kumite and bronze for kata on Sunday, hopes to be selected to represent New Zealand in kumite at the Junior World Champs in Spain later this year.

He represented New Zealand at the Oceania champs last year, along with five other club members. He hopes to represent New Zealand at the Olympics in time.

Cameron is now 14 and has been representing New Zealand since he was 10.

"Competing is fun. I meet lots of new people," Cameron said.

His cousin Imogen Ear, 13, said: "Competing internationally was scary at first but when you get used to it, it's like, normal."

Sensei Craig Nordstrand said the results aren't the main goal for the club.

"These kids started between 4 and 9 years old and have been training with the club for years to reach this level," he said.

"It's not all serious training though, we do fun stuff like go away on camps and movie nights."

The club is running special classes to attract more beginners, for 4-7-year-olds on Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-12-year-olds on Mondays and Wednesdays and for 13+ on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Craig Nordstrand said anyone who wants to learn more should call him on 021 223 3644.