Six medals won!!! Go Sophia!

We have a talented martial arts athlete in Rūma Ono - have a read about her amazing recent achievements.

Kia Cane Ora Koutou, I’m Sophia Carr and last weekend I competed in a 2 day Karate Tournament. The first day was the South Island Primary Schools Championship - representing Tahuna (3rd of June, Saturday) and the second day was the Otago Southland Regional Championships ( 4th of June, Sunday). Over the 2 days I won 6 medals.

I competed in Kata, Kumite and Kobudo. Kata is a set of movements set together to create a pattern which you perform. Kumite is Fighting ( No contact) but you have to wear a mouthguard, Chest protector, gloves, shin pads and foot protectors. You score points on your opponent by head kicks ( worth 3 points), middle kicks to the stomach ( worth 2 points) and punching to the stomach and head (worth 1 point). Kobudo is a kata but with a weapon. I used a Bo ( Staff).

On the first day - The Southland Schools tournament I was representing Tahuna in the year 7-8 division. I got gold for Kobudo, silver for Kumite and bronze for Kata. I was in the premiere grade, which is the best of the best competitors.

The next day was the Otago South Island Regionals tournament. I got gold for Kumite, gold for Kata, and silver for Kobudo. I was in the 12 and 13 year old development grade for that day.

Madeline Hage-Sleiman who also goes to Tahuna was in both Karate tournaments with me. The first day she got bronze for Kumite and the second day she got silver for Kata and Kumite. We were in the same division for the second day.

By Sophia Carr