Above: Renowned karate sensei Joe Templin is developing a strong batch of budding champions at Chikara Karate Studio in the Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre.By Marc McGowan
ENDEAVOUR Hills Leisure Centre would be hard pressed to find a better karate exponent than renowned sensei Joe Templin.
The five-time national and 10-time state champion, who also finished fourth in the 1986 world karate championships in the 60-65 kilogram category, has been teaching on a regular basis at the local venue for 23 years.
A fascination with Bruce Lee led the now 46-year-old to take up the martial art when he was 18.
But it is Templin who is inspiring others to become involved now as the head instructor of Chikara Karate Studio.
“I reckon it’s a great way to keep fit, especially for kids, and develop motor skills, body awareness, and learn how to focus correctly,” he said.
“You also learn how to function and interact with other people, and it is good for self-defence for young people and adults.”
Templin, who mentors people between the ages of four and 54, believes another major appeal of karate is the different achievements individuals can get from the discipline.
“It is probably one of the best all-round sports because it caters for people at different stages in personal development,” he said.
“It is good for kids who are shy, or who are not very good at sports or are fantastic at sports.
“People can compete against others if they want to or just do it for themselves.”
Picture: Meagan Rogers.
