THERE is more campdrafting than karate done in north west Queensland.
That hasn’t stopped a group of very talented and dedicated youngsters from making an impact at the Queensland State Shotokan Karate Competition held in Biloela on June 13 and 14.
Kelly Walker, along with Wade and Holly Forster and Sensei Ben White represented the Diamantina Dojo of Winton at the event.
All three junior members and their teacher travelled the 1800 plus kilometres for the event.
The competition was held over two days with some training on the Saturday morning as a warm up.
Events started off with the youngest competitors. Holly Forster took to the floor with some apprehension as this was her first competition.
At just 6 years old, she put her butterflies behind her and had great results in her Kata event and was awarded the bronze medal for this.
The next Winton competitor was Wade Forster. He was also awarded a bronze medal for one step sparring.
After Saturday’s events came to a close, Kelly Walker had to undertake a grading to achieve her brown belt.
Many people sat and watched as Kelly went through her moves and was congratulated by all when she passed her grading.
On Sunday morning , Kelly was the first to compete winning the gold medal for Kata and One step sparring.
This makes her the Queensland champion in these events. With those events out of the way the parents had the nervous wait for the Free Style Sparring.
Wade Forster was up early in the draw of his first ever sparring event. He took to the mats with confidence and scored some early points.
He fought three different opponents with very little time between to catch his breath. His last fight was definitely his best and at the end of this event he was named the Queensland Champion for 11 years and under.
Next in for Winton was the current Australian Champion, Kelly Walker.
Kelly also had several bouts back to back. A sporting accident just days before had broken one of Kelly’s fingers.
This was well strapped for the event and with her adrenalin running high she fought on and claimed the title of Queensland Champion again.
Kelly was also awarded a trophy for technical excellence.
Although one of the smallest Dojo’s represented at the competition, the Diamantina Dojo seemed to be one of the strongest.
Kelly is the daughter of local stock and station agents, Mal and Linda Walker, Mal Walker & Co, while Wade and Holly belong to Andrew and Emma Forster, Windermere Station, Winton.
The children train twice a week, every week with no off season.
The instructor, Ben White, also lives out of town on a station, therefore making the competition success all the more remarkable.
The success and high spirits of the three competitors was largely due to the preparation and training by Ben White.
This year, the Diamantina Dojo was fortunate enough to secure funding for equipment.
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund has enabled the Dojo to purchase mats to train on.
The mats help prepare the children for competition where mats are used at events.
They are also a safer option to hard flooring. The Diamantina Dojo thanked the Gambling Community Benefit Fund for the grant, and the Winton Shire Council for its continued support.
The three high-kicking bush kids are now training for the National Competition to be held in Gladstone later this year.
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