Karate players meet in the Waimarino

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 355, 25 September 1990, Page 13

Karate players meet in the Waimarino

The Ohakune branch of Whanake Rangataua Karate played host to the annual karate seminar recently. Clubs from Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Porirua, Wellington, New Plymouth, Auckland, Lower Hutt and Wainuiomata wee in attendance with the majority of the members being instructors and brown belts. After everyone had. settled in at Maungarongo Marae on Fri-

day evening a handball toumament was staged at the Ruapehu College Gymnasium. Although the games did not attract non-karate players the games were fast and furious enabling all those unfamiliar with the game to master the game to the fullest. Handball is played on a court slightly larger than a basketball court with nets at each end half the size of soccer nets. The seven member team's objective is to throw the ball, which is half the size of a basket-

ball, into the opposition net from outside a zoned area where no member from either side (except the defending goalie) must enter. Handball is not widely played in New Zealand but all the discipline's karate clubs have made at an integral part of training. Saturday morning saw all karate participants' being put through their paces with different instructors ranging from general basics to tour-

nament technique and bouts. A great number of those brown belts in attendance will be put through the black belt grading within the next few months. Saturday afternoon saw training put aside for leisure and although

the weather was not great, the ent iusiasts headed for some well earned skiing. The evening's activity was an all-night rage at the Hot Lava. Sunday morning's training had no 'holds barred' and although the

night before had snared a few subdued individuals, the training quickly rallied instant attention. Eight members who came up will be fighting in a kick boxing tournament held in Wellington on Saturday 22 September ranging from

light through to heavyweight division. A member of the local club, Scott Rae, is flying back from Surfer's Paradise for a heavyweight title fight. Scott is currently the Australasion Cruiser Weight Champion.