Saturday 24th July was the first Semi Contact and Forms Regional championships for WAKO in New Zealand. The day commenced with junior hard style forms, which includes both Korean patterns and Japanese Kata. The judges were selected for their experience in all areas. Chief Judge was WAKO National President Rick Dobson, 3rd Dan Karate, 5th Dan Kickboxing. Rick has experienced international Forms judging, and is a former International Forms competitor. Joe Howells 1st Dan Karate, 2nd Dan kickboxing and high grade Tae kwon do, and Chris Howells, 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan kickboxing and also graded to high level of Tae Kwon Do. The judges were looking for Martial Art expertise in the forms including, balance, technique, performance, application and ability. Tysin Langridge of Taupo MODKA took the title in the juniors, Clint King of Waikeria Hawks ITF, took the Male title and Georgie Tutaki of Otorohanga Phantoms and also an ITF Black belt took the female title.
This was followed by the Musical division where competitors develop their own form and perform it to music. The same rules for judging are employed as well as examining the performer for keeping in time to the music. A maximum of three gymnastic applications may be used. The crowd were very interested in Former Model and Miss New Zealand competitor Sarona Samuelu's performance to Michael Jackson's 'Beat it' track, but were blown away by Joe Howells performance with his inclusion of some magnificent aerial spinning kicks which took the title.
The crowd were treated to some great fighting in the Colts Semi-contact fighting. Eight-year-old Te Awamutu Phantom Max Dobson showed great control winning his division. MODKA's Tysin Langridge proved his excellent ability and sportsmanship to the extent that opposing coaches were cheering him on in the -1.60 section. Phantom Samuel Rist had a close fight against ITF Waikeria Hawk Logan Van Der Holst in the +1.60 section.
In the Adult divisions, Diana Gordon kept her unbeaten record by winning the +75Kg Females. Sarah Coppard of Tauranga won the female -60Kg and Georgie Tutaki took her second win of the day in the female -75Kg. Phantom Kick boxers had some hard battles on their hands against the Tae Kwon Do and Karate fighters. Russian Koykushinkai fighter Yorie Oleynikov put Otorohanga Phantoms Instructor Wiki Tutaki to the test with Tutaki only just managing the win. The crowd were dazzled by the speed and agility of Auckland Toa Fighting systems Carl Van Roon. Carl, who also competes for the ITF, and holds a World Karate title, wowed the spectators with his lightning aerial attacks. Local Phantoms fighter Joe Howells got in a couple of good points but could not compete against the speed, experience and agility of Carl who seemed to be just warming up. The World Champion came unstuck against ITF Waikeria Hawk Clint King in the final. A hard and close war went through to extended time, and then to sudden death with King catching Van Roon with a defensive sidekick. This stopped Van Roons aerial offence and King took the Regional Title.
The Final bout of under 89Kgs saw WAKO National President come out of retirement and put on his WKA GB suit, Rick Dobson a former British and European Karate champion of the mid Nineties met his own student and protégé Brad Johanson in the final. Rick tried hard but the younger and faster Johanson proved he'd listened in training, the student finally beating the master.
The competition ran smoothly and was enjoyed by all. Organiser and WAKO National President Rick Dobson was very pleased to see Kickboxing, Karate and Tae Kwon Do fighters competing against each other. A true test of a champion. WAKO uses the term of Kickboxing as an umbrella definition for all stand up martial artists who use their hands and kicks to fight. These tournaments are available to enter by any stylist or association member.
WAKO also run a National ratings system. Each competitor who places 1st to fourth gain points for their position, 10, 9, 8 then 6. Each WAKO competition will give the competitor further points until the end of the year where the competitor with the most points in each division will be crowned the WAKO New Zealand Grand Champion.
WAKO Full Contact Regional Championships are being held on 21st August in Te Awamutu, Waikato. 30th October is the date for the WAKO OPEN Championships for Semi Contact and Forms. The National WAKO Pakistan team have indicated they may be in attendance at this tournament. WAKO National Championships, where the National team will be chosen for the 2005 World championships in Hungary will be held in May 2005.
Any interested fighters or coaches can contact Rick Dobson for further details of any WAKO competition on
0800 KICK IT. Or E mail [email protected]
SEMI CONTACT & FORMS
Waikato Regional championships results
10points 1st 9points 2nd 8points 3rd 6points 4th
Junior Hard Style Forms
MIXED
1. Tysin Langridge – Taupo Modka 10
2. Logan Van Der Holst – Waikeria Hawks 9
Adult Male Hard Style Forms
MALE
1. Clint King – Waikeria Hawks 10
2. Wiki Tutaki – Otorohanga Phantoms 9
Adult Female Hard Style Forms
FEMALE
1. Georgie Tutaki – Otorohanga Phantoms 10
2. Jocelyn Smyth – Hamilton Phantoms 9
Musical Forms (16+)
MIXED
1. Joe Howells – Kihikihi Phantoms 10
2. Sarona Samuelu – Te Awamutu Phantoms 9
COLTS SEMI CONTACT
MALE -1.45 Mt
1. Max Dobson – Te Awamutu Phantoms 10
2. Callum Rist – Te Awamutu Phantoms 9
3. Shea Gosnell – Te Awamutu Phantoms 8
4. Tyson Cox – Kihikihi Phantoms 6
COLTS SEMI CONTACT
MALE -1.60Mt
1. Tysin Langridge – Taupo Modka 10
2. Joseph Watchman – Tauranga Phantoms 9
3. Kahu Kerr – Kihikihi Phantoms 8
4. Connor Aston – Tauranga Phantoms 6
COLTS SEMI CONTACT
MALE +1.60Mt
1. Samuel Rist – Te Awamutu Phantoms 10
2. Logan Van Der Holst – Waikeria Hawks ITF 9
COLTS SEMI CONTACT
FEMALE +1.55Mt
1. Alanna Watchman – Tauranga Phantoms 10
2. Brittany King – Otorohanga Phantoms 9
ADULT FEMALE SEMI CONTACT
FEMALE -60Kg
1. Sarah Coppard – Tauranga Phantoms 10
2. Amanda Stuart – Te Awamutu Phantoms 9
ADULT FEMALE SEMI CONTACT
FEMALE -75Kg
1. Georgie Tutaki – Otorohanga Phantoms 10
2. Lisa Murray – Kihikihi Phantoms 9
3. Tamsin Rigold – Auckland Toa 8
ADULT FEMALE SEMI CONTACT
FEMALE +75Kg
1. Diana Gordon – Te Awamutu Phantoms 10
2. Paula Harris – Kihikihi Phantoms 9
3. Mandy Howells – Tauranga Phantoms
ADULT MALE SEMI CONTACT
MALE -74Kg
1. Wiki Tutaki – Otorohanga Phantoms 10
2. Yurie Oleynikov – Kihikihi Koykushinkai 9
3. Andrei Van Roon – Auckland Toa 8
4. Ramon Burchell – Te Awamutu Phantoms 6
ADULT MALE SEMI CONTACT
MALE -84Kg
1. Clint King – Waikaria Hawks ITF 10
2. Carl Van Roon – Auckland Toa 9
3. Joe Howells – Kihikihi Phantoms 8
4. Greg Fitzgerald – Auckland Toa 6
ADULT MALE SEMI CONTACT
MALE -89Kg
1. Brad Johanson – Te Awamutu Phantoms 10
2. Rick Dobson – Te Awamutu Phantoms 9
3. Richard Ogle – Putaruru Phantoms 8
4. Sam Hankins – Tauranga Phantoms 6
