Karate club makes its mark at nationals

SUCCESS: (L to R) Shotokan Karate Budokai instructor Trevor Roberts, Rebecca Hann, Shelley Galligan, Zali Gude, Patrick Galligan, Dianne Smith and Queensland coach Kelly Roberts.

SHOTOKAN Karate Budokai enjoyed a wealth of success at last month's Australian Karate Federation National Championships in Sydney.

All six competitors from the Camira-based club who flew down to the tournament returned with medals and a big smile to go with it.

Patrick Galligan got things off to a good start, winning gold in the Over 35s Kata, while Rebecca Hann, Shelley Galligan and Dianne Smith teamed up to secure gold in the Team Kata event.

Shotokan Karate Budokai chief instructor, Trevor Roberts, complimented all his athletes and his daughter, Kelly, who went down as state coach.

“I'm more than happy with their achievements,” Roberts, who refereed at nationals, said.

“They all put a lot of effort into it, training five times a week.

“The training showed off with all of them coming back with medals, so it was great to see with the effort they put in, they've got the reward out of it.”

Roberts expected to see a number of his athletes go on to compete at the 2012 world championships.

“I'm certain in two years time we'll be looking at some of the younger ones to try and make a move for the world titles,” he said.

Roberts also wanted to thank all the sponsors that helped with making the team's trip to Sydney possible.