6th of May was the 2006 date for the World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (NZ) National Semi-Contact & Musical Forms championships. This Championships had been eagerly awaited by a number of clubs as this was to be the final selection day for the cadet & Junior National team to compete at the WAKO World cadet/Junior Championships in Croatia. Last years Senior squad had competed in Hungary and gained great respect from the rest of the world both with their HAKA and their fighting ability. This had been the first time New Zealand had been seen at the WAKO World championships. New Zealands President Rick Dobson was recognised by the Organisation by promoting him to Head of Oceania through his tireless work in the promotion of WAKO (New Zealand).
The day went extremely smooth, with Musical Forms competitors up first. Wiki Tutaki of Otorohanga won the National title for his performance with the Wushu Sword. The cadets groups were hotly contested and the -37Kg boys was the one to watch. Young Max Dobson of Te Awamutu was the reigning Champion and the rest of the field were out for his crown. Max mowd them down like he was cutting the grass and ended up in the final against his team mate Sam Ward. The fighters sqaured off and stalked each other for most of the match until max offered his glove to sam as a sign of respect, as sam took the touch max streaked in and scored his points. Cheeky, but effective. Max won the title for his second year. Both Max and Sam were selected for the national team.
Champion Max with silver medalist Sam Ward
Tysin Langridge of taupo MODKA was hot on the day, steaming into anyone who dared step on the mats with him. Tysin was absolutrely on fire, also winning for the second year and gaining a place on the team for Croatia.
The seniors were hard contests with new blood entering the WAKO arena Raana Mareikura of Rotorua was showing her excellent style taking out allcomers till Laura Wison-Sims of Toa fighting Systems stopped her short of the title. Laura showed why she was slected for last years National squad.
Toa a veteran club of WAKO competitions brought a large and highly experienced crew to the competition with multiple ITF world champion Carl Van Roon Internationals Tessa Gyde and Dafydd sanders all taking Golds. New comers to the competion Impact ITF were hard to beat in their divisions with a number of golds being taken back to Auckland. Team captain Mark Trotter commented after the competition that the WAKO tournaments were now on their agenda for every event.
Tae Kwon Do fighters in action
The next WAKO tournament is the Oceania Championhips held this year in New Zealand will also hhold Light continuous competition as well as Semi-Contact points. Two British champions are confirmed to attend as is the Australian champion. The Oceania's will be held in Te awamutu on the 13th August. Information can be gained form Rick Dobson on 0800 542 548
Carl van Roon about to drop the axe
