On the 3rd and 4th of December 8 students and 3 instructors from the martial art school, Zen Chi Ryu in Kempsey travelled down to compete and represent NSW at the Australian Martial Arts Championships (AMAC) National Titles.
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These titles were held over the two days with competitors from all over Australian and New Zealand.
The students to reach this elite level to compete at these Titles, had to qualify at regional rounds of the tournament scene at Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Newcastle to then compete at the NSW State Titles in September. From the NSW State Titles they were selected to join the NSW team and compete at the Australian Titles.
The Australian Titles were held at Homebush Bay, Olympic Park, Sydney. The students who travelled to compete at these titles were amazingly successful bringing home three Australian titles and many other places. Our Australian Champions are Chelsea Peet, with her demonstration which she was partnered with Troy Kinny, Tristan Vogler, Liam Kinny and Zac Bell. Chelsea is also the Australian Champion for Sumo (wrestling) in her age division as well as coming runner up in her Point Contact and Freestyle Sparring. Tristan Vogler is also an Australian Champion in his Sumo (wrestling division).
Alan Bell, Amalie Illife and Emma Bell also got various places in the top five of Australia. To be placed in the top five in Australia means that you qualify to be on the Australian Team to travel overseas and can compete in New Zealand, Japan or Sri Lanka. This is such an amazing effort from a small martial arts school from the Mid North Coast of NSW. Some of the students will be taking up this opportunity in 2017, to train with the best martial artists in Australia, at specific Australian Squad training camps and then to compete in tournaments around NSW and then overseas.
Richard Kinny, Karen Vogler and Debbie Swanson travelled with the tournament team to be officials at the tournament – judges and table officials over the two day event. Richard Kinny was awarded NSW official of the Year and Australian Official of the Year for his efforts he has put in throughout 2016 at the many tournaments he has officiated at.
The talent and sportsmanship that Zen Chi Ryu students displayed over the weekend at the Australian Titles was second to none, and we will be seeing a lot more of these students in the future.
