EMMA Jackson of Greenbushes Primary School competed for Western Australia at the Australian Karate Federation National Tournament at the Joondalup Arena in Perth earlier this month.
Emma competed in the girl’s female kata, 12-13 yr old division against 27 other girls from around the nation.
This was a culmination of months of hard training. Each week Emma would train for three hours on Wednesday and Friday at her dojo, then travel to Perth on Saturday to train with the State team - all for one chance to put her Kata on show against the best in the Nation.
Emma competed on the morning of the first day with four other girls from WA. She drew the first round of her event and came up against a competitor from Queensland.
Her nerves were high and she started her Kata slightly fast, but she pulled it together and finished strongly. Unfortunately it wasn't enough and she lost the round.
It was a tough division for Western Australia. Each of the girls were knocked out early in the event by a very strong Victorian team who went on to take first, second and third.
With the tournament season almost over, Emma can be proud of a successful year having come runner-up state champion and being one of only two regional karate students to compete at the Nationals for Western Australia.
When asked if she had anything to say about her experience at the Nationals, Emma said "Although I didn't place in my event the experience was lots of fun and there is always next year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Sensei for all his time spent training me, all the State coaches, judges and other members of the state team for their feedback and support, my family for all their support and the local community for their words of encouragement. All this would not be possible if it was not for the huge commitment from my Mum. Thank you Mum, I love you."
Inquiries about karate training can be made to Damien Bell at Bridgetown Goju Ryu on 0408 913989.