Amika Chhoeun, 11 (from left), with coach Craig Nordstrand and Emily Pumipi, 8, at the 2026 Australian Karate Open Championships.
Amika Chhoeun, 11 (from left), with coach Craig Nordstrand and Emily Pumipi, 8, at the 2026 Australian Karate Open Championships.
Two young karate athletes from Whangārei claimed a haul of medals, including gold, at the Australian Karate Open Championships last month.
Emily Pumipi, 8, won gold in the Kumite Individual female Under-10 (fighting) and claimed silver in the Kata Individual Female U10 (movements in a pattern).
Amika Chhoeun, 11, earneda bronze medal in the Kumite Individual Female U12, with coach Craig Nordstrand saying she was unlucky not to get a silver for kata.
The pair were representing the Miyagi Kan Karate Club at the three-day competition, held in Sydney from April 10.
“Both girls performed brilliantly winning a gold, silver and bronze medals,” Nordstrand said.
“Emily’s win is even more significant as in the final she met another Kiwi girl from Auckland, who has a record of not losing in New Zealand and she beat her eight-nil with 10 seconds to spare.”
Emily’s opponent was Oneli Soysa, competing for her Auckland Wadokai club. Oneli also took bronze in the Kata Individual Female U10 division.
Nordstrand said the competition, which had more than 1000 entries, was regarded as the biggest karate tournament in the Southern Hemisphere.
At least 17 Kiwis competed in the event, with Emily one of two to return home with gold. Hamilton’s Sari Osuka won the Kata Individual Female Veterans 45-54.
Emily took up karate 18 months ago, with Nordstrand saying he knew straight away she was good.
Amika Chhoeun (from left) with Charly Pumipi and her daughter Emily Pumipi at the 2026 Australian Karate Open Championships.
Amika, he said, had been working hard in the past six years she has been a part of the Whangārei dojo.
Nordstrand said the youngsters had a vigorous training routine in the two months leading up to the competition, involving a couple of hours a day, six days a week.
Amika and Emily train in the small Whangārei dojo and do not compete in New Zealand tournaments because of cost.
“Without these experiences, the girls were still able to medal in a huge tournament in Australia.”
Nordstrand said travelling to Auckland for competitions was tough financially because of accommodation, petrol and entry fees.
“Tournaments might charge $80 and the kids might be on the mat for a minute-and-half and that’s it if they lose. I don’t like shoving that cost on to parents.”
Nordstrand hoped the success would encourage more people to take up the sport. He said the club had lost 12 students this year because of the financial squeeze.
“With the cost of living, the club is struggling with numbers to keep the door open so this ... could be a lifeline for the club.”
