Karate kids win with style

Thirty martial artists from Warrnambool, 16 from Hamilton and six from Camperdown joined forces at the Karate Instructors Association Championships in Geelong.

Clubs from Melbourne, Tasmania and Gippsland also contested the event.

The south-west contingent blitzed the field, bagging a collective 57 medals, including 22 gold, 21 silver and 14 bronze.

For sixth time in seven years, the region claimed the John Watkins Memorial perpetual shield for the top performing style.

Head instructor Frank McKenzie said the impressive results exceeded his expectations.

"Given how we've gone in past years we set ourselves the goal of getting the shield back," he said.

"But it all depends on how you go on the day."

Warrnambool's Billy Sloane was one of the region's top competitors, collecting first place in both the Kata and Kumite.

Hamilton's Becky Brooks also took out the same disciplines.

McKenzie said most students had trained twice a week while demonstration teams had perfected their routines in additional practice sessions.

"There's been a lot of hard work put in," he said.

Two Warrnambool demonstration groups won gold medals.

Jack Goddyn, Patrick Sztynda, Jackson Lowe and Laughlin Cowell performed a routine of moves in unison to take the junior trophy.

Victorious senior trio Leatham Robe, Sam Vallance and Josh Suringa impressed judges with their unison and sparring techniques.

"The (demonstrations) can be anything as long as it has a karate theme," McKenzie explained.

While the squad wasn't the biggest in the region's history, McKenzie said it still outnumbered the other clubs.

"We have about 200 karate members and we give them all an entry form," he said.

"Then we all go up on a bus. The spirit is very good and there's a lot of team morale."

The students will now prepare for a competition in Mount Gambier next month before the state and national all-styles championships in November.

mrooth@standard.fairfax.com.au