Students from KIMAA’s North Coast dojos participated in the Gold Coast Budo Challenge on Sunday October 2nd.
Sensei Jon Ellis led the team from Ballina Dojo and Sempai Wally Gray led the team from Lismore Dojo.

Sensei Mark McFadden had pepped up the team the night before with the following words:

“The only thing I would add is enjoy the tournament, the atmosphere, whether it is your first or 31st. Enjoy the camaraderie, and being with stacks of people all into Kyokushin. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose. It matters that you participated and gave it a shot.
Of course we will celebrate those who do well, but we will also celebrate those who tried. The competitors have all put in extra training, extra effort. You will all be fine.”
The first trophy of the day was won shortly after lunch by Patricia Tan, coming third place in a kata division.
The success for the KIMAA team followed, with our karateka taking out gold trophies in three divisions.
Congratulations to all who participated, whether you won a trophy or not. You represented KIMAA proudly.