PORT Macquarie martial arts students excelled at this year’s Kumiai-Ryu Martial Arts System national championships, including taking out the coveted grand champion trophy and teams trophy.
All members of the 14-strong team performed well, most winning gold or placing, which enabled the KRMAS Port Macquarie Dojo to win the coveted Champion Dojo Trophy for the second year running, which is a real feat considering the high level of competition.
The stand-out performances included young Harry Amon, who won two gold, one silver and a bronze plus the Spirit award for the juniors division.
However, the real superstar of the event was Sensei Sam Cobourn, a Year 11 student at Newman’s College, who won seven individual gold medals, one silver and was also a part of the gold-medal-winning team for Senior Kata.
Sam acquired enough points to be awarded the highest possible award, the highly regarded overall grand champion trophy. Former winners of this trophy have gone on to win international and world titles across a range of martial arts disciplines.
The magnitude of his win was underlined by the fact that this was the first time a Port Macquarie student has won this award in the championship’s 24-year history.
Sam fought in more than 30 bouts across all disciplines and in some instances fought up two divisions above his weight category of under-65kg. He had to overcome current Australian champions and not surprisingly his performance impressed many stalwarts.
Locally based KRMAS chief instructor and founder Kyoshi Kevin Blundell was delighted with the results.
“All members of the KRMAS Port Macquarie Dojo participated in good spirits and did exceptionally well considering for most of them it was their first national martial arts championships,” he said.
Kevin said Sam’s performance in particular was outstanding.
“I have been teaching, competing and coaching competitors from beginner to world championship level since 1977 and have never seen a better overall performance from a competitor than Sam’s, especially given his young age,” he said.
“Sam has the correct respectful, positive attitude to go on and become an international champion in any form of martial arts competition he wishes to pursue.”
Blundell said Hastings residents would get a chance to see the local competitors in action next year because the KRMAS Port Macquarie Dojo would be hosting the 25th national championships in November at Panthers Port Macquarie.
Kumiai-Ryu Martial Arts System trains on a regular basis in Port Macquarie at 31 Jindalee Road – www.krmas.com.au
