Karate kids set for Japan | Whitsundays Sport | Local Sports in Whitsundays

PROSERPINE Kyokushin Karate students Ashley Cole and Nelson Woods will represent Australia in the Junior 'All Japan' Open in Osaka, Japan on Saturday June 27.

The born and bred Proserpine boys are the only two representatives for the Under 14 Heavy Weight (Over 55 Kilograms) division in Australia.

They will compete against other young competitors from Russia, South Africa, Columbia, China and Japan.

The 'All Japans' are recognised for involving all forms of martial arts, not just Kyokushin Karate.

Kyokushin, which means 'Ultimate Truth', is full contact knock-down karate.

The Kyokushin students will be experiencing overseas travel for the first time after they qualified last August at the National Titles in Melbourne.

Both Nelson and Ashley are looking forward to the overseas experience.

“I'm looking forward to discovering the culture,” Nelson said.

Ashley said he was looking forward to meeting new people and having contacts for the future.

Whilst looking forward to experiencing a new country, they are very focussed on the competition, and both admit there are some nerves going into next Saturday's tournament. “It's a mixture of 50 per cent nerves and 50 per cent excitement,” Nelson said.

The two students have been training under Sensei Wayne Hinschen from the Proserpine Dojo (Training Hall) for about four years now.

During the last six months they have been training five nights a week to get themselves in the right physical and mental condition for the Japan titles.

Coach Guy Thrupp will accompany Ashley and Nelson in their travels, as well as Sensei Wayne Hinschen, who is confident his students will do well.

“It's going to be tough, but they know they are in with a chance,” Hinschen said.

The two competitors have learnt a lot about respect and achieving goals through the teachings of karate, which they endeavour to take into next Saturday's tournament.

“I've learnt a lot about etiquette through karate,” Ashley said.

“It [karate] teachers you how to achieve your own goals, to be a good fighter and not get knocked out,” Nelson added.