GKR South Australian Tournament Team

National Championships 2007

Day 9

Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush

NAS Day 1 of Competition

All were eager for this day, and all were off early to ensure that we arrived on time. It was easy entering the top class venue with no check in required. Eight matted rings awaited the competitors, with ample space around and great spectator viewing from the stands.

Time for the Opening Ceremony, and the march in. First were the NAS hierarchy and the officials, followed by the State Teams. A short opening welcome speech and address by NAS President Silvio Morelli and a few others was followed by the Competitor's and Referee's oath and it was time for competition.

There were large groups in some divisions, which were spread across a couple of rings. The plan was for each competitor to receive support from coaches and this occurred all day and certainly contributed to individual's performances. The first day is all individual events for Black Belt Open divisions, with Forms for the remainder.

In Forms, we didn't take out any Championships, but managed 5 places, with Jeremy Thompson making the final of the Male Open Forms, to be held on Sunday. Senior Demonstrations saw a double for SA, with Daniel, Alan and Jeremy taking out first place with their Unsu Bunkai demo, and John McDonald and Russell McQuade taking second place with their Sepei Bo Bunkai demo. The Open Black Belt Male and Female Sparring Finals are held as part of the Saturday Night Spectacular and for the first time we had two Competitors make the final two - Daniel Tregenza in the Open Weight and Jeremy in the Heavyweight. Former SA Team member, Natasha Hammersley made the final of the Female Continuous Event.

So it was back to the Park for a quick shower, something to eat and the return trip. Jeremy and Daniel had to stay to rehearse as for the second year, the event was being recorded for viewing on Foxtel. They were waiting outside and chatted about the experience as we waited to get in. Sara had managed to reserve a block of seats in the first couple of rows so it was a very excited group of SA supporters that took their seats. First all the competitors were individually introduced and then it was time for the night to begin.

Proceedings started with Shihan and four of the Sydney Black Belts to perform the Bassai-dai Bunkai demonstration that they did at the GKR Tournament. The format for the evening was for a couple of bouts followed by a demonstration and anticipation grew as it came closer to the time for Jeremy and Daniel to compete. Jeremy was on first against a TKD competitor from Canberra and there was huge support from the SA people and the GKR people from other states. After a slow start, he gradually caught up, got in front and won his first National NAS Sparring Title. Daniel was against Lachlan Carr and knew it was going to be a tough fight. Lachlan was too good for Daniel but he was very pleased to receive the second place Trophy. Later, Jeremy fought Lachlan in the semi-final of the Champion of Champions, but Lachlan proved too good and he went on to defeat Ben Cunningham for his first Champion of Champions title. It was two very happy SA boys at the end of the night.

Celebrations were a bit subdued that night as there was still a day of competition to go but the bar had been lifted and confidence was high.

Home, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Breakup BBQ