Students Excel in Karate Tournament

Owen's success at first international tournament

Earlier this month, Year 7 Cobblebank Campus student Owen travelled to New Caledonia to compete in the Oceania Karate Championships, bringing home two silver medals.

Owen displayed incredible skill, and we congratulate him on his achievements!

His father Brett shares more about the championships below.

"Owen has been studying karate for about six years at the Shindo Karate Academy in Bacchus Marsh. He is looking to obtain his black belt later this year and has been competing for the last three years in kumite (sparring).

Owen recently travelled to Noumea in New Caledonia as a member of the Australian team to compete in the Oceania Cup and Championships.

This tournament attracts the best karate athletes from across our region, including Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti and French Polynesia.

Owen competed in both the individual Under-14 Male Kumite Under 50kgs Division, and the Under-14 Team Kumite event, which sees competitors from each country battle in the best of three matches.

He performed admirably in his first overseas competition, winning silver medals in both competitions.

It has definitely increased his desire to train harder and achieve further success in the future."

Olivia brings home bronze medal

Year 9 Melton student Olivia also represented Australia at the Oceania Championships after a second-place finish at the Australian Open in April earlier this year.

Olivia was awarded the bronze medal in the Female Cadet +61kg division, facing off against a New Zealander who is currently ranked 16^th globally in their shared division.

Following this, she won very convincingly in the Female Cadet Open before facing off against another Australian, fighting extremely well. At the conclusion of the competition, Olivia has been ranked 32^nd in the world, and the sixth highest ranked Australian Cadet Female across all weight divisions.

Coming off an unbeaten run in the Victorian Karate League season, Olivia holds some of the best competition statistics in the state. She continues to train for the upcoming Australian National Championships in July, where she will again compete in both her weight division and the Cadet Open.

Olivia will face off against some tough competitors in the tournament, gaining more experience in the lead up to her attempt to qualify for next year’s World Championship Team and Commonwealth Championship Team.