October 2003
Wellington’s Seido Karate Club has returned with a clutch of medals after a successful stint at the 2003 Seido Australia International Festival and Benefit Tournament.
The tournament, held at the end of November last year, was among the largest the style has held internationally. There were around 450 competitors from Australia, South Africa, USA, Japan, India and New Zealand at the event.
Seido Wellington’s chief instructor Ben Otang says the club did extraordinarily well at the tournament.
“We took 15 competitors to Sydney ranging in age from eight years to fifty,” he said
“We competed in all events including kata, a free form section and kumite – or sparring – and brought back nine medals in total – including two golds.
“Given the tough international competition, and the high standard of entry I am thrilled at how Seido Wellington did – it’s the result of a lot of hard training and commitment from our club members.
“The proceeds from the Sydney tournament are going to three Australian charities. In 2002 Seido Wellington hosted the international benefit tournament here in the capital and raised funds for the Wellington Women's Refuge and Te Whare Rokiroki.
“In 2004 the Seido International benefit tournament will be hosted by South Africa and it is hoped that Wellington Seido will be able to send a team,” Ben said.
Seido is one of the largest styles of marital arts in New Zealand - there are 18 schools in this country with around two thousand students. Internationally there are more than 40 thousand Seido students in 16 countries with nearly 100 branches worldwide. In the Capital there are around 200 members, of these 40% are women and more than 30 of members are children.
Tournament Results:
Raymond Llorico - Gold in junior kata and
kumite (boys)
Ben Otang - Silver masters kata (men’s)
Kim Sawers - Silver masters kata (women’s)
Avis Macadam - Silver in senior (veterans) black belt kumite (women’s)
Bridget Thomson - Silver in green belt kumite (women’s)
Peter Flowers - Bronze in senior (veterans) black belt kumite (men’s)
Chris Rice - Bronze in black belt kata (women’s)
Sid Jones - Bronze in green belt kumite (men’s)
Contact: Ben Otang
Phone: (04) 471 2822 or 027 4719 055
Email: ben.otang@paradise.net.nz
Website:
www.seidokaratewellington.co.nz
Seido is one of the largest styles of marital arts in New Zealand - there are 18 schools in this country with around two thousand students. Internationally there are more than 40 thousand Seido students in 16 countries with nearly 100 branches worldwide. In the Capital there are around 200 members, of these 45% are women and more than 40% of members are children.