Dubbo Kumiai Ryu Martial Arts team triumph at national championships

More than 130 competitors travelled for the two days of competition with martial artists from five years of age battling out for individual and team glory.

Students competed in a variety of areas including Kata, Weapons Kata, Points Sparring, Semi Restricted Sparring, Restricted Sparring, Sword and Sumo. 

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Dubbo Dojo Instructor Shidoin Daniel Andersen said he was immensely proud of the 43 local students who competed at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre. 

“All of our students showed an exceptional display of skills and excellent sportsmanship,” he said.

“The fact we can call ourselves the national champions shows how hard our team has worked. 

“The Team Kata event takes a lot of patience and it is something that is learnt through constant repetition. 

“They also do stuff outside of their normal training, so the extra moves and skills they learnt stood them in good stead during the competition and ultimately contributed to them being named champions in the Team Kata event.”

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Andersen said he was also pleased with how well individual students did at the event.

“Sempai-Sho Elsie Scullard took home three first placings, two seconds and one third place as well as the Colts (13-17 years of age) National Overall Champion,” he said. 

“Elsie is a pretty dedicated student has been training for almost four years; her main skills are in sparing and at Kata. 

“She is fearless because she is often up against people who are more advanced than her, people who have ring fighting experience and she hasn’t had that before, so I’m proud of her achievements. Her winning first will inspire the younger students to aim for something similar and they do look up to Elsie.”

Andersen said fellow student Paige Farrell received the overall Little Ninjas (under 13) Spirit Award after an impressive effort over both days.

“Paige finished with four first places and has matured over the last six months,” he said.

“She has trained with the adult students and with her dad as a black belt and mum training for it, martial arts is a family affair. Her achievements show that she has listened in her lessons and put them into practice and they show her total dedication to martial arts.” 

Sensei Jordan Heaton also was an overall award recipient, receiving the Colts Spirit Award having two first placings, two-second placings and two third placings. 

“Jordon is a great leader in our Dojo and his success is well deserved,” he said.