Karate: Pair impress at event

Getting ready to compete in a teams event are Jasmine Park-Jolly (left), Charissa Rehu and Shimiah McNicholl. Photo / Andrew Warner

Rotorua's Shimiah McNicholl and Charissa Rehu are two girls you don't want to mess with.

The pair took part in their club Gusoku Kai tournament held at Rotorua Girls' High School arena at the weekend.

The tournament, Te Rupe All Style Martial Arts Karate Championships, saw competitors from around the region taking part.

Shimiah, 16, and Charissa, 18, are both 4th Q green belts but were literally punching and kicking above their weights, taking on grown men and often getting the better of them.

Shimiah, a Year-12 at Rotorua Girls' High School said it wasn't about the physical aspect of the sport which appealed to her.

"Karate is like a family and we've all been through a lot together and a lot of gradings and a lot of hard trainings together."

The teenager who has been doing karate for about four years said she was excited and a little nervous leading into the tournament but it didn't show when she was competing, showing plenty of aggression and power.

Her club mate Charissa also looked deadly while in action, using her speed and agility to better her opponent but admitted there were always some nerves before sparring.

"Before you go out you get a little bit nervous, but since we've been doing it for a while now, it's not too bad."

Charissa, who joined the Gusoku Kai club after going to watch her younger brother training, said she enjoyed martial arts and the club.

"We are a real family and we are all really tight."

The club's grand-master Hanshi Inuhaere, a 9th dan black belt with 50 years of experience said he was proud of all his students.

He said martial arts was often seen by some as a violent sport.

"The truth is the physical is only 20 per cent of traditional martial arts. Eighty per cent of karate is mental discipline."

Inuhaere has two clubs in the Rotorua area, the main academy has been running for five years at Sunset Primary School three nights a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) between 5pm and 7pm, as well as a sister club in Ngakuru which runs once a week on a Monday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

For more information on joining the club contact Shihan Natasha Inuhaere on (07) 349 1491.