Watch out Cobra Kai!  Local karate club takes out Champion Dojo Trophy

On Saturday 12 June, Wairarapa’s Okinawa Goju-ryu Karate (OGKWI) club competed against karate clubs from across the lower North Island to win the overall Kāpiti Karate Academy Championships.   

13 karate students from South Wairarapa travelled to Kāpiti to compete against students from 12 other karate clubs in kata (technique), kobudo (weapons), and kumite (sparring).  An overall Champion Dojo Trophy was up for grabs for the club with the most points per member at the end of the event.  OGKWI students received the most points per member as well as winning a whopping 17 medals (4 gold, 7 silver and 6 bronze).   This meant the club took out the overall competition trophy.

Chief Instructor, Sensei Paul Cantwell (5^th Dan) was delighted with his students’ efforts on the day and in the lead-up to the competition.  “For a teacher, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing his students achieve, I’m very proud of everyone who stepped into the ring.”  Of the competition itself, Paul praised how well organised the event was, “it was the best tournament we have attended, and we’ll definitely be back next year!”

Paul opened the Featherston OGKWI Dojo in 2003 and is a regular presence at the three other Wairarapa dojos.  Students train in Greytown on Mondays, Martinborough on Tuesdays, Featherston on Wednesdays and Carterton on Thursdays.  OGK is one of the more traditional forms of karate.  Goju literally translated means hard/soft. “Go” means physical hardness and strength of character. “Ju” is the gentleness which flows from it. “Ryu” means style.

“Karate is a great way to challenge yourself physically and mentally in a safe, family-friendly environment,” says Paul.  “Our mixed-age classes make it possible for families to train together.  We regularly welcome new students, and encourage anyone who wants to focus on building good strength, mental stamina, fitness and agility, and self-defence skills to stop by one of our dojos and give it a go.”

For more information, visit www.karatewairarapa.wordpress.com or try out a training session at one of the dojos. The first month trial is free for new members.

Training times and locations

MONDAY: Greytown St John Hall, Main St 

6.30-8.30pm Mixed Class

Instructor: Sensei Paul Cantwell

TUESDAY:  Martinbourough Primary School Hall, Cnr Dublin/Roberts St

5.30pm-6.15pm Juniors

Instructor: Sempai Clare Miller

6.15pm-8pm Mixed Class

Instructor Sempai Anna Börjesson

WEDNESDAY:  Featherston School Hall, Lyon St

5.30pm-7.00pm Kobudo (weapons training)

Instructor:  Sensei Paul Cantwell

6.30-8.15pm Mixed Class

Instructors: Sensei Paul Cantwell, Sempai Diana Hosnell and Sempai Andrew Hosnell

Instructors: Sempai Jacqui Malcolm and Sempai Glenn Malcolm