Karate: Teen dominates age group to secure title

NAG 22May14 - SUPREME: Christian Linder won his division at the Raglan Fight Night earlier this month. PICTURE / SUPPLIED

A Kaitaia teenager beat all comers in his division at a martial arts tournament in Raglan earlier this month.

Fourteen-year-old Christian Linder won the 12-14 year C grade Boys' Brazilian Jiu Jitsu title at the Raglan Fight Night on Saturday, May 10, while representing the Kaitaia dojo of the Kiaido Ryu Martial Arts Club.

At the Raglan tournament, which catered to a wide variety of martial arts, the Kaitaia College Year 10 student overcame all three opponents he faced in the C-grade Sports level event throughout the day, with each bout fought over three two-minute rounds.

A strong Far North entourage which travelled to the coastal Waikato hamlet to support Linder watched as he beat his first opponent in convincing fashion; found his second opponent a bit trickier before eventually advancing after winning two out of three rounds; then beat his third opponent in his most evenly matched bout of the day to secure the gold medal.

Proud instructor and Dai Sempai Rose Dermer said this was the first time one of her students had entered the annual Raglan event.

"I was rapt. We came home with the winner so it was worth the trip. I was happy proud to see how he progressed and did so well."