Haley Graham and Alicia Gauld have secured national honours at two separate tournaments recently. 

Haley was declared the National All-Styles (NAS) champion after winning the open black belt event. 

Soon after, Alicia secured a crown at the Australian Martial Arts Championship (AMAC) event in the kumite [freestyle fighting], while also finishing second overall as a brown belt to a fourth-dan black belt. 

“We are incredibly proud of these tremendous results,” Haley’s father and Kokoro Kai founder Rob Graham said. 

Both Haley and Alicia joined Tamerah and Makayla Boffa, Rhythm Marshall, Ryan Marsh and Lachlan Charlton-Seaman for the NAS championships where the team performed incredibly well.  

Every student secured silver in their team kumite event, while the group also secured two bronze medals in the kata [forms] event. 

“Every single one of the kids have to hold their heads high,” Rob said. 

“They made the effort and took on the challenge, how could you not be happy about going up there?” he said. 

Haley has been a national champion before, but Rob said he was proud of his daughter, who qualified for the Champion of Champions event held at the close of the tournament. 

An elite invitational event, Haley continued her good form to finish fourth against the country’s best. 

“Kokoro Kai means ‘of the heart, of the soul, of the spirit’ and our students embodied that at the event.” Rob said. 

“Whether you win or lose, it’s always about showing respect and shaking your opponents hand,” he said. 

It’s a key facet Rob instills in his pupils and he said he was incredibly proud of the way everyone conducted themselves. 

He was also impressed by their drive, “tournaments like the nationals are about hunger and just wanting something so bad” adding the team were passionate about doing well.

Rob said some members of the dojo were now looking to pursue State team selection ahead of the 2020 Olympics. 

Rob said it was a hard slog to be recognised in a regional area like this, but he would always support anyone dedicated enough to put in the work required. 

The students also got the chance to meet Hanshi Tino Ceberano the head of International Goju Karate. 

He is hailed as ‘the father of karate in Australia’ and is a former instructor to Rob, who holds his former teacher in great reverence. 

Regular training sessions return on February 4 at the Bega Public School dojo, while the Candelo Showground Pavilion sessions return on February 6. 

Anyone looking to learn karate is welcome and new starters can contact Rob Graham on 0427 945 930.