The familiar and very spacious Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Main Stadium Hall was the venue for the 2010 GKR National Championships. Around 650 competitors had entered from all States in Australia plus a small contingent from New Zealand. The traditional march-in and opening ceremony started the day, with Tournament Director Sensei Mark Case welcoming everyone before speeches from Kancho Robert Sullivan and Shihan Stacy Karetsian.

Competition soon commenced in all 16 rings with the Junior kyu grades. Mid morning the older kyu grades took over, along with Veteran and Senior Veteran divisions. Competition was very strong in all divisions, with several divisions spread across two rings to cater for the large numbers. Competition continued throughout the morning and into the afternoon with no stopping of action, with rings rotated out for a break. Early afternoon saw the commencement of the Male and Female Junior Open events, highlighting the future of GKR. Exceptional Kata was followed by fast and furious Kumite bouts in both divisions. The Junior team Kumite events were well fought out with a high standard on display. Mid afternoon saw the Junior and Senior Syncronised Kata events, running across several rings, with the top three teams from each ring making it through to their respective finals. Male and Female Black Belt Divisions followed, with first Kata and then Kumite events taking place. Four matted rings were in operation, two each for male and female divisions, with the finals taking place after the rounds. Excellent Kata were performed by all finalists, with the medalists exceptional. Kumite was of a high standard with both the Male and Female finals being of the expected high standard.

The final events of the day were the Male and Female Senior Team Kumite events and as usual they were keenly contested and well supported. Victoria took out both events, much to the delight of the home crowd. The presentation of the Junior and Senior Open Cups closed the day, with this perhaps the only downside as most people had already left. All in all, a very well run and supported tournament, held in a very spacious venue which allowed ease of watching and movement to support students.

Winners of the Male and Female Open events were:

Winners of the Male and Female Junior Open events were:

For approx 40 South Australians, it was the best result for at least the past 10 years, taking home 10 National Championships, 5 Runners Up, 12 Third places and several 4th places in individual and team events, plus some others making Kata finals but unplaced. A great effort by all South Australians who represented their state proudly. All State Team members, along with several other competitors stayed at the same venue, prepared and celebrated with a BBQ on the Friday night and many going out to Dinner together on the Saturday night after the Tournament. Many travelled home on the Sunday but for others it was "Market Day". A very pleasant time for all. Coaches Sensei Jeremy Thompson and Sensei Shane Bennett very elated at the performance of the team, a just reward for all the hard work throughout the year.

Congratulations to National Champions in Kata: Steve Tyler (S), David Boyd (S), Daniel Andrew (S), Madee White (S), Margie Hookway (S), Vikram Gopakumar and in Kumite: Daniel Tregenza (S), Demi Harford (S), Tara Jeromel, Hope Edwards

Congratulations to Runners Up in Kata: Daniel Tregenza (S), Lesley McDonald (S), Andrew Parker, Paul Jeromel and in Kumite: Steve Tyler (S).

Congratulations to Third place Medalists in Kata: Jondalar Grenfell-Sexton (S), Alex Mills (S), Nick McDonald (S), Kirsty Webb, Tushar Muralidharam, Hayley Waters and in Kumite: Lucille Lott (S), Margie Hookway (S), Zoe Tyler (S), Linda Donnellan (S), Female Team Kumite (S), Adrian Parker.

Congratulations to the following for making Kata or Kumite finals or finishing in 4th place in finals: Demi Harford (S), Lucille Lott (S), Jasmine Harford (S), Linda Donnellan (S), Junior and Female Senior Syncronised Kata Teams (S), Tara Jeromel, Christina Akele.

** (S) denotes State Team member

The official GKR Karate report with full results, can be downloaded here or from the official GKR Karate site.

Thanks to all those people who contributed photos and videos and assisted in result collation.

More Photos and full South Australian results will be added soon.