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Following a successful regional championships in June, an Alexandra Karate club repeated their success at the Karate New Zealand National Championships held at Cowles Stadium in Christchurch last month.
Counties Shotokan Karate-Alexandra Dojo instructor Petri Conradie said their success represented a remarkable achievement for the Central Otago based dojo as they were able to compete successfully against clubs from major centres across New Zealand.
The club would bring home five medals and a further five top five placings.
Mr Conradie said he was impressed by the performance of the young athletes from Dunstan High School competing at the national level and said Eli Knights’ silver medal performance in the Kumite Male 14/15 years 60kg and fifth placing in the Kata Male 14/15 years Premier categories showed exceptional promise for his future in the sport.
Fellow DHS students Angel Bruce, Curtis Melton and Zach Struthers, also placed in top five spots.
Mr Conradie would bring home two gold and two silver medals himself.
The success at nationals followed the club’s successful performance at the Karate New Zealand Otago Southland Regional Championships in June where they won 17 medals.
The results showed the high standard of martial arts training available in Central Otago and the club’s progression from regional to national success, he said.
The achievements show students from Central Otago schools can not only compete at the highest national level, but also excel through dedicated training and proper coaching, he said.
— Allied Media