Rewards for Ohakune karate fighters
The fighting spirit and sportsmanship displayed before a large and enthusiastic crowd of spectators made the recent Northland Open Karate Championships held in Kaitaia a great day of karate competition. The competition attracted almost 400 competitors from various parts of the North Island with several systems being involved. Ten members of the Whanake Rangataua Karate Ohakune, along with their instructor Charles Mareikura travelled to Kaitaia where they were dwarfed by the competitor numbers and the 300 strong spectator assembly. The day was set alight with some dazzling displays of the adult and age grade Kata competitions warming the crowd for what was going to be an electric atmosphere. The Ohakune contingent fought bravely and for most, the rewards were most gratifying. Frank Taylor (Jnr), Che Wilson, Michael Wihapi fought gallantly in their 11 years and under category but were unable to register wins against other very big and strong 11 year olds. Corban Tumataroa was sound in his division - boys 13 years over 1001b - and a commendable outright win made his trip worthwhile. Mario Mareikura won his division - boys 13 years under 1001b - a section where Mario managed comfortably. His technique was much sharper and more energetic than before. Mario's brothers Richard and Matthew are proving to be blossoming in the karate arena. Not only are they training with zeal and enthusiasm but their dedication and prowess, like so many of their club mates is overwhelming. Matthew reached the semi-finals of the super juniors up to 16 years, while the much matured Richard won this division and was runner-up in the Top Kick Juniors men, under 1 8 years. Awhina Edwards outclassed her less experienced opponent in the girls 13 years over 1001b. Thomas Mareikura once again was pipped at the tape, eventually coming
runner-up in the men's Kyu grade under 87 kg. This division hosts some very big players with no shortage of power and energy. Thomas certainly was not intimidated by his bigger oponents. Instructor Charles Mareikura entered the Men's open Kata division and once again gained first place as he did two days previous at the Waimarino Open Karate Teams Tournament. His nephew Richard showed his wares in this open Kata division Coming a commendable third. These teams events enable the 5 member team to pit themselves against
others where the first team to register 3-bout-wins, takes first place. Two teams from Porirua and another from Wainuiomata enthused the crowd along with teams from Ohakune (2), Taihape (2) and Wanganui. ★ ★★ The event hosted by Whanake Rangataua Karate Ohakune recently was experimental and judging by the interest of those who competed and those who did not, the event will certainly be a strong possibility for next year. The results of this event staged at the Ohakune Primary School were 3rd Zendokai Taihape, 2nd Whan-
ake Rangataua Wainuiomata. Winner of Ohakune Hotel Open Trophy was Whanaka Rangataua Ohakune whose members were; Charles Mareikura, Thomas Mareikura, Richard Mareikura, Alex Holes and Philip Menehira. Another tournament was organised between the Whanake Rangataua Ohakune club and its other club in New Plymouth. This enabled all the Ohakune members not only to enjoy a trip to New Plymouth but to compete and learn about the fundamentals of tournaments. This enabled very young members to compete against those of a similar
age rather than be thrown into divisions out of their depth at regional tournaments where the wealth of talent is far greater. Results from the New Plymouth competition: Thomas Oconnor 1st Boys up to 7 years; Sharleszane Mareikura 2nd Boys up to 7 years; Frank Taylor and Michael Wihapi 1st Boys and Girls up to 1 1 years; Kylie Legge 2nd Boys and Girls up to 1 1 years; Mario Mareikura lst Boys up to 14 years; Matthew Mareikura 2nd Boys up to 14 years; Richard Mareikura lst Boys up to 16 years; Matthew Mareikura 2nd Boys up to 16 years; Awhina Edwards lst Women's Kyu Grades, 2nd Women's Open, lst Women's Open Kata, lst Boys and Girls Kyu Grades; Matthew Mareikura 2nd Boys and Girls Kyu Grades; Raana Ellen Mareikura 3rd equal Boys and Girls Kata up to 6th Kyu; Kylie Legge 3rd equal Boys and Girls Kata up to 6th Kyu; Richard Mareikura lst Men's Open Kata; Mario Mareikura 2nd Men's Open Kata, 1 st Boys up to 13 years.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIBUL19871208.2.54
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 28, 8 December 1987, Page 20
Word count
Tapeke kupu
724Rewards for Ohakune karate fighters Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 28, 8 December 1987, Page 20
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Ruapehu Media Ltd is the copyright owner for the Waimarino Bulletin. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Ruapehu Media Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.