The event attracted over 140 competitors from Goshin Ryun schools across the country. Despite the stiff competition, five members of the Batemans Bay school finished on the podium in their respective events.

Cody Hogan placed second in the eight years age group weapons demonstration while also picking up third in the sparring discipline.

In the 12 years age group, Michael Vickers finished second in sparring and third in the weapons demonstration while Owen Bourke picked up third place in the sparring discipline for the 15 years age group.

Matt O’Neill also finished third in the sparring discipline in the 17 years age group. Tim O’Neill rounded out the locals’ impressive performances by picking up second place in the over 35s over 80 kilograms sparring event.

Batemans Bay Goshin Ryu karate school sensei Darrell Bossley said that the results of his students was made even more impressive by the fact that they had a grading only two weeks prior to the National Tournament.

“Because they moved up after the grading a lot of our guys were fighting in a higher division with only two weeks training in that division,” he said.

“On the other hand, the people they were coming up against could have been in that division for up to six months.”

Bossley, a Goshin Ryu karate master, did a number of highly difficult demonstrations at the event . Batemans Bay Goshin Ryu Karate School member Tim O’Neill said all the students at the club were constantly learning and improving as a result of being mentored by Bossley.

“He puts a lot of work into training us,” he said.

“He’s one of the best in Australia and we’re very lucky to have him here.”