MOUNT Gambier’s Sidai Anthony Baseley achieved national success recently, following a two-day martial arts tournament in Port Macquarie, New South Wales.
Baseley qualified for the 2019 Australian Martial Arts Championships (AMAC) through a Melbourne tournament held in July – an event where he was awarded three podium finishes from three events.
A love for martial arts was discovered during high school, when Baseley was encouraged by a friend to join a local Kung Fu school.
Look ahead 18 years and he is now the second in charge of Jik Cheung Kung Fu Australia – the only Kung Fu school in Mount Gambier.
Qualifying for the Australian titles for the first time through the AMAC tournament circuit, Baseley travelled to Port Macquarie to compete in traditional forms (kata), traditional weapon forms and full-contact sparring.
With more than 300 competitors from around Australia and New Zealand, the competition was fierce.
Baseley achieved top-10 finishes in his traditional weapon form and traditional open hand form, but his greatest success came in the full-contact sparring heavyweight division.
Originally there was one bout scheduled for the weight category, but Baseley and his opponent agreed with a referee suggestion to bring a teenage competitor up to the adult class, as his age group did not have a bout suitable.
The first fight was an even affair with referees unable to determine a victor following the first round.
With a momentary break, a second round was used to determine the victor.
Despite excellent competition, Baseley came away victorious with a unanimous vote from the judges.
His second bout was against the younger competitor and required a flexible approach due to changes in the contact levels allowed.
Despite a noble effort, Baseley was unable to maintain his intensity and in a 2-1 decision his opponent was declared the winner.
With the result of the other bout also going to the young competitor, Baseley was awarded second place overall.
Despite the loss, he demonstrated the true spirit of martial arts, providing positive feedback and coaching to his opponent after the bout.
Through the event Baseley has now qualified for the World All-Styles Championships which will be held in Caldas Da Rainha, Portugal, in April next year.
