IT was another successful weekend for Mount Gambier’s Murasaki Dojo, as two students of the Kyokushin Karate style represented the region at the Arnold Classic in Melbourne.
The “Arnolds” include various different sports, with karate just a part of the range on offer.
Johee and Yenna Joyce headed to the competition with Sensai Kathy Nunn and returned with mixed results.
At just nine years of age Johee managed a gold medal in the full contact category, while 12-year-old Yenna brought home two gold medals for the non contact and full contact divisions, plus a silver in kata.
Nunn said it was a big day of competition for the two young students, who worked hard to achieve the results.
“Johee was in a big group,” she said.
“He did not place in the kata, but did the best kata I have seen him do.”
Nunn said while Johee did not place in the non contact division either, the final result came down to one referee’s decision.
However, from there Nunn said Johee was focused and came out for the full contact category with the simple goal to win.
“I think not getting anywhere for the kata and non contact he was fired up,” she said.
“He moved so well and came home with the gold.”
Yenna faced a black belt in the kata division, much more advanced than her own level.
“Yenna is green belt with black tips, which is three stages and a couple of years away from becoming a black belt,” Nunn said.
“She did really well – there was not much in it to get silver.
“She blitzed the field to win her non contact, then came out with all guns firing for the full contact and won that.”
Nunn said the losses were a good learning tool for the students.
“If they continually go through and win they learn it is expected it will happen,” she said.
“From the losses, Johee had to assess what he was going to do and he changed.
“He never went out and did the same thing again.
“Once you step out on the mat you have people yelling at you, but you do not hear it.
“What he did had to come from him.”
Likewise Nunn said Yenna was composed up against a black belt fighter.
“For Yenna up against the black belt, most people would panic or lose the plot,” she said.
“She did not let that faze her.
“When these guys are put under pressure, they step up to the next level.”
