SIX members of the Wood JKA Karate Dojo in Mandurah will represent Australia at the JKA Karate World Championship in Tokyo from October 17-19.
Four junior and two senior karate students will join the larger Australian squad at the competition organised by the Japan Karate Association.
Wood JKA Karate Dojo head instructor Sensei Jim Wood (sixth Dan) said it was a great achievement from the students to be selected in the competition which is only held every three years.
“We are delighted and very proud that six students from my Dojo were selected for the Australian National JKA Karate team,” Wood said.
“It is the biggest authentic Shotokan competition in the world of Karate-Do.”
Alexander Williamson and Nicholas Tognela will compete in the senior championship with Kane Briggs, Alexander Wood, Mason Foo and Bashtion Littlefair competing in the junior competition in both Kata and Kumite.
Wood said the students had to go through a tough selection process.
“The students fought it out and were selected by top visiting Japanese masters in Melbourne at the Australian National championships in March this year,” he said.
“Over 350 students competed for selection and the competition was fierce for a place in the national squad.
“The lads did great and had a no-messing approach in all their events.”
Mr Wood will be one of the judges at the championship with his wife Aileen Wood travelling as one of the team coaches. Mr Wood said training has been upgraded to the highest level in preparation for the Tokyo competition.
“At the competition the students will train every day with the top Japanese instructors in the world,” he said.
The competition will be held in Tokyo’s famous Budokan Hall in front of Japanese dignitaries and television crews.
