Coffs karate club members win medals at state titles

TRADITIONAL Shotokan Karate Federation (TSKF) Coffs Harbour club members have achieved top results at the Queensland Titles.

The nine members represented NSW at the Traditional Shotokan Karate Federation Queensland Championship Titles on the Gold Coast.

The club members participated in two days of intense training under Nemoto Sensei, direct from Japan, and had a successful state titles returning with three gold medals, three silver medals, and one bronze medal.

Andrew Hall won gold in the Kumite, Gold Kata, and Spirit Award.

James Ryan won gold in the Kata and silver in the Kumite, Sam Stanford won silver in the Kumite and silver in the Kata, and Shannon Robinson won bronze in the Kata.

The club members were also awarded the Spirit Award for Excellence in Karate-Do.

Club Sensei Andrew Hall gave some background to what forged the club’s success.

“The TSKF Coffs Harbour Club had an amazing representation at the state titles for a small local non-for-profit club that only formally started our own branch three years ago,” he said.

“To have nine members of the club compete at this level was a show of their dedication, team spirit and skills.

“Each member trained relentlessly in the lead up but the support between the team members was what really shone and got each competitor across the medal line.

“With the combined dedication from the club instructors Sensei Alec Shaw and myself we have been able to foster a club culture centred around inclusiveness, safety, and respect.

“The spirit displayed by our club members was inspirational to say the least.”

Traditional Shotokan Karate Coffs Harbour Club members are now in preparation for the NSW Titles, to be held in Lismore from 31 October to 1 November.

This will be a selection event for the next Australian Team to compete in the ISKF World Titles in Mexico 2026.

The next Australian team will be announced at the next Australian Titles in Caloundra in March 2026.

By Aiden BURGESS