The Chikara Kyokushin Samurai Dojo of Parkes has had many successes throughout 2016.
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With a membership base of 35 children and many adults who take part in evening classes, Shihan Darren Jordan – with 40 years of experience as a qualified martial arts instructor – is continuing to produce dedicated and skilled students of karate.
This year has seen nine fighters from the dojo travel to Melbourne for the Chikara Kyokushin International One Match Challenge.
This event, held on June 25, was an opportunity for the young fighters of Parkes and Forbes to showcase their skill.
Kyan, Jayden and Benji Redfern; Andie, Louie and Snow Hodder, and Bon Caneta all came away with a first place trophy.
Jemma Hodder and Jaspher Caneta had tough bouts on the day and along with dojo senior fighter, Jo Christopherson, all came away with valuable experience.
On August 20, 15 young samurais travelled to the Australian Kyokushin Karate Association’s (AKKA) 40 year ‘Milestone’ Australian Championships at Sydney University Sporting Complex.
Samuel Quince showed exceptional talent to win a gold medal in his age and weight division.
Yuan Rivera and Nate Harrison also excelled in the ring and were both awarded silver for their efforts.
Andie Hodder and Louie Hodder rounded out the success on the day, each obtaining a bronze medal.
All fighters were challenged physically and mentally by getting through a tough knock out draw.
At the AKKA 2 day tournament, the senior members of the Parkes dojo entered the ring, where Carlson Johnson showed true spirit as he fought his way through four technical and physical bouts.
A number of his competitors on the day were international fighters representing Japan, and each were highly regarded and exemplary practitioners of Kyokushin.
Carlson took second overall and proved a fantastic role model for the younger dojo members.
Jo Christopherson, although didn’t medal, showed that courage and perseverance can be a bigger reward.
To conclude the dojo’s participation for 2016, eight fighters travelled to the Combat Sports facility at Canberra’s Australian Institute of Sport where the Independent Kyokushin Association hosted the national championships on October 22.
Second place trophies were collected by Jayden Redfern, Nate Harrison and Andie Hodder, while Heidi Monkerud, Jai Wheeldon, Bailey Davis and Jo Christopherson were recognised with third place in their divisions.
Josh Dollizon and Kyan Redfern dominated in their age and weight divisions, both taking home gold trophies as champions.
It has been a successful year for the students of Chikara Kyokushin Samurai Dojo of Parkes.
Some have taken their skill into the fighting ring and excelled, and those remaining students of the dojo have also trained with commitment and discipline, and reached many notable milestones as well.
Hosted by the Parkes PCYC, the samurais look forward to the opportunities karate will create in 2017.
