Over 20 medals won in competitions
Posing with their medals from karate events over King's Birthday Weekend are (from left) Bruce Potter, Abigail Conradie, 14, Elijah Knights, 15, Angel Bruce, 13, Sharon Ferreira, Angelo Javier, 9, Zachary Struthers, 15, Daniel Conradie, 14, Curtis Melton, 15 and Petri Conradie. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
An Alexandra karate club achieved remarkable successes at tournaments over King's Birthday Weekend, with the club winning more than 20 medals.
Counties Shotokan Karate Alexandra Dojo instructor Petri Conradie said he was really proud of the efforts of the martial artists who took part in the tournaments.
"They have been working hard for the past, it's about three months, that we've been working towards going to compete at this tournament and it's great to see that all the hard work is rewarded."
The club took part in two events over the long weekend, the first of which was New Zealand South Island Schools Tournament held on the Saturday. It included competitors from both primary and secondary schools.
The second tournament, held on the Sunday, was the Karate New Zealand Otago Southland Regional Championships, which drew competitors of all ages.
Club members participated in both events.
"In total per day, there was about 130 participants across various divisions," he said.
At the event on Sunday the club got 17 medals, the fifth-most of all the clubs that competed, Conradie said.
The events are a stepping stone for the young martial artists to compete in South Island-wide and national events.
"The kids really get to measure themselves quite well against who else is out there, and then at the nationals, then it's a combination of the South and North Island and kids that almost do it professionally."
For the children to perform at the South Island or national level was really good, he said.
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