Left: Chikara Karate Studio sensei Joe Templin, with seven-year-old students, from left, James Hamilton, Anthony Mao and Dylan Stokes, who recorded a clean sweep of the medals in their age group in the Gladiators event at this month’s Kobe Osaka Australia Championship at Springers Leisure Centre.By Marc McGowan
MORE than 300 karate enthusiasts descended on Springers Leisure Centre for the second annual Kobe Osaka Australia Championship in Keysborough this month.
There were 60 events on the day, including Gladiators, Kata and Kumite, with 26 clubs represented.
Chikara Karate Studio sensei Joe Templin, whose base is located at Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre, joined Marco Mazzanti and Richard Callaghan as tournament directors for the competition.
“The event was a great success with a high standard of skill and an excellent competitive spirit displayed by all competitors,” Templin said.
Templin, who has taught at the local venue for 24 years, believes karate offers numerous positives for those involved in the martial art.
“We work on eight major groups with the kids – focus, memory, teamwork, discipline, control, fitness, balance and coordination,” he said.
“The skills you learn can be used for life – not just in martial arts and self defence.
“We get a lot of feedback from people saying they have seen a big improvement in their kids’ concentration and they’re more focused on what they’re doing.”
The next goal for the Kobe Osaka Australia Championship is to attract international competitors, which Templin hopes can be achieved in the next four years.
