27th NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2008

27th JKAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

HELD IN DANDENONG, VICTORIA

24-29 March, 2008

Approximately 230 members of JKA Australia and JKA New Zealand travelled to Dandenong Victoria during the past week to attend the 27th National Championships and Seminar.  The four day training seminar commenced on Monday afternoon, with members being treated to training under Chief Instructor of the South Pacific, Takahashi Shihan (8th Dan) and Sensei Nishimura (7th Dan) from Melbourne, and also special guest instructors from Japan, Senseis Yano (8th Dan), Okajima (7th Dan), Matsui (7th Dan), Kobayashi (6th Dan), and Chikanishi (4th Dan). 

Guest Instructors and JKAA Dojo Heads pictured after the training seminar.

Friday 28th March, dawned as Junior Competition Day, with kyu grades and Junior Black Belts competing in kata and kumite events, as well as team kata.  Elimination rounds of the State Mens and Womens kumite were also held that afternoon with very spirited competition displayed. On Saturday the Senior Black Belt events were held, with finals of each event contested after the Official Opening in the afternoon.

The Championships were Officially Opened by Cr Ros Blades, representing the Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong, who was presented the scroll of the competitor's oath after it was read by Victorian competitors Brogan Baggott and Nurija Kadic.  All attending observed one minute of silence in honour of Hon. Tom Burns OAM, the Honorary President of JKA Australia and Sensei Emmanuel Drakos, Instructor of Bermagui NSW Dojo, who had both passed away during the past year. A special award ceremony was held during the official opening for the presentation of 25 and 30 year awards for members with continuous membership over that period of time.

The final events were hotly contested, with all competitors acquitting themselves with good spirit and determination.  The Australian mens and womens team kumite team once again prevailed over the New Zealand team to retain the Takahashi Cup, Trans-Tasman Team Kumite Championship, in a closely contested event.  JKA Australia would like to take the opportunity to thank JKA Victoria and all members of their organizing committee, for their time and dedication in hosting this special event. 

Results are as follows:-

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DALE WATSON, WINKIPOP MEDIA

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