Geraldton Karate Academy the premier State dojo after another successful national tournament

Geraldton Karate Academy continues to lead the State as a powerhouse dojo with a successful national tournament held earlier this month.

A 14-strong WA team was sent to the Traditional Shotokan Karate-Do Federation Australia national championships held in Marion South Australia March 6 to 11 with half the squad made up of members from the Geraldton Karate Academy.

Alicia France, a former Australian team member and national champion, said it was great to have full competition back after years marred by COVID.

“Our fighters were successful. We had really tough competition from the Japanese university students, they were just next-level, they were so fast and so strong and it was a privilege to be able to compete with them,” she said.

“It’s really good to be back to proper tournaments post-COVID. It was nice to be able to see everyone and it’s probably made it more important to feel like we need to get together.”

“It was also good for our senior competitors to learn from some of the elite Japanese instructions that were able to attend.”

The standout from a Geraldton perspective was 16-year-old Mark Antonio who took two golds and recently became Geraldton’s newest black belt.

“It was his first tournament placed first in his division in both the kata (form) and kumite (fighting evens) and he’s a really big up-and-comer to watch.”

Geraldton sensei Pasco Costantino said he expected big things for the young fighter.

“I expect bigger and better things from him next year stepping up to the black belt events and he did a brilliant grading last week to earn his black belt status,” he said.

France also achieved a fourth Dan grading from TSKF chief instructor 9th Dan Takahashi Shihan with fellow member Cherie Good achieving third Dan with Hirata Sensei.

“It was a big achievement for me to be able to do it with Takashi She-han was really special I’ve trained with him all my life,” France said.

The club will not rest on its laurels already setting an eye on next year’s national in Queensland which will also serve as the selection for the world titles.

“It would be great to be selected again,” France said. “And we’re pushing a lot of our junior members to go and have the chance to be on the world stage.”

The Geraldton Karate Academy is always open to new members with teenage classes starting soon. Anyone interested should contact the club at geraldtonkarateacademy@gmail.com or go to their website geraldtonkarateacademy.com.au.