It is once again that time of the year when we stop to acknowledge, celebrate and extend a massive gesture of love, kindness and gratitude on that day of days, Mothers’ Day.
Down through the march of time, the role of women throughout the world has indeed seen massive changes, be it on the home front, business, sport and unfortunately war.
In the world of sport, what is now sometimes referred to as combat sport, football, boxing and martial arts, they not only participate, but also excel: and now living here amongst us in the peaceful world of Noosa Heads, we have three young mothers who have done exactly that.
Their choice, Shotokan Karate.
This art which was founded on the Island of Okinawa in 1928 by Gichin Funakoshi and now, as the most widely practiced style of karate, is considered a traditional format: and the Five Maxims of Karate, are considered to be of the utmost importance.
As a student at Karate Noosa, which is a member of World Shotokan Karate-do Federation (WSKF) and run by Chief Instructor, Sensei Bryan Dukas 6th Dan, our mums’ have now, after years of training and study, obtained high gradings in Japan, such as Black Belts with Dans’, to Brown Belts.
For Kimberly Bateman, her venture into the world of martial arts started at age 15.
“For the last 25 years, Karate has been a very important part of my life. I started after I was invited by a friend to come and try, and although she stopped after a few months, I continued: despite the passing of time, I still enjoy training today,” she said.
Now as a mum, it is wonderful to be able to train alongside her children.
“To enable us to train more as a family group, my daughter and I have set up a small dojo in our back garage. We encourage each other to set our goals and plan to achieve them. My daughter’s next goal is to compete in Japan in 2025,“ she said.
“Our club is very supportive of the Sensei-Senpai ( Senior -Junior) relationship. We have many young students who are training hard and as a senior student and a mum, it is wonderful to see the next generation of karateka, enjoying the sport that has played such a big part in our lives.”
Regarding the competitive aspect of her career, last year in Japan, the world centre for Shotokan Karate, and before a massive crowd, Kim Bateman competing in the WSKF World Championships, Women’s Open Kumite/ Sparring division, won the gold medal.
“This,“ said Kim, our karate mum, “was definitely the highlight of my karate journey.”
Now after 25 years of training and dedication Kimberley is a black belt 3rd Dan and Kumite gold medal winner.
Also training at Karate Noosa, is club mate Biance Finn.
Bianca, Black Belt with 2nd Dan grading, has also, like Kimberley, experienced Japanese advanced training and grading.
Also, as a karate mum, she is very proud and privileged to have training at her side with two sons, Dempsey junior Black Belt, and Campbell, Brown Belt (five times state karate champion).
In her competitive life she has also medalled: winning silver in the Ladies Veteran Kumite, bronze in the Women’s Open Kata. (The Kata is a series of blows and movements, following established rules, conducted against imaginary foes) and Gold in the Ladies Team Kumite.
For Bianca, her career started back in 2016, when she was encouraged by friends to partake in a mothers’ day special for the month of May.
At that time her sons were only little, six and four years of age, but despite their youth they embarked on what was to become a career in martial arts.
“Being a mum, we try to persuade our children to try new things, so I thought, why not give it a go, and doing karate together with my sons provided me with a golden opportunity,“ she said.
“How many sports can we participate in with our children, rather than just standing on the side watching?
“This gave us the opportunity to train alongside each other, attend competitions together, share in our own conversational language: and uniquely experience the protege effect. Down through the years we have all competed at local, state and national level. Last year I was privileged enough to attend the World Shotokan Karate Championships in Japan, returning home with three medals. Following this I attended grading and achieved my 2nd Dan.”
However, for Bianca the big plus was the fact that she was not only indulging in a fantastic sport for families, but also had the opportunity to interact with all ages thus developing lifelong friendships. A great opportunity, from all corners of the globe.
Another mum, who is also a member of Karate Noosa is a kyu division Brown Belt recipient, Amy Cavanagh.
Amy, who started learning Karate at age 29, has also trained and studied under the guidance of Head Sensei Bryan Dukas, for a period of eight years.
In competition Amy has been successful at local competition in Brisbane in both kata and kumite and again in Queensland Championships, winning gold in Kata and silver in Kumite.
The ultimate experience and highlights of her career, led her to the WSKF (World Championships) in Japan last year, where she was “fortunate enough,” to be appointed captain of the Australian Team.
During the titles she performed well winning the bronze medal.
“I found myself on the podium for third place, in the Women Open Kumite bout,“ she said.
“This is definitely a proud moment in my karate achievements. I initially began my journey in karate to gain the skills and ability to look after myself in any self- defence situation, if I ever again found myself in such a position. As the mother of a daughter, Sienna, also a member of Karate Noosa, I was driven to show her and prove to myself that we, as women, are capable of being strong in body and mind in all we set out to do. There are endless possibilities of greatness in one way or another.”
I feel that Amy speaks for a lot of women when she said, “I became fascinated by the traditions that karate instilled from Japan: something I felt that is seriously lacking in our western society, yet I was drawn to be part of.”
The success of all traditions is of course, self-discipline.
“I was passionate and ready for the challenges and had confidence from the beginning of my journey. I found a Sensei (Bryan Dukas 6th Dan) who would guide me along the way to success,“ she said.
“However, I never realised the complete transformation karate would have on my everyday way of life: how I behave and contribute to society and most importantly, within my family. Karate has literally changed my life.”
It is here that we start to get a meaning of the Five Maxims of Karate: Perfection of Character, Be Faithful, Endeavor to Excel, Respect Others and Refrain from Violent Behavior.
‘’However, if these Five Maxims were not only for Karate clubs but society in general, it would be a much better world for all,” said Chief Instructor Bryan Dukas.
For the Karate Noosa Club, the senior black belt and brown belt female members, have created for the women members, a standard in martial arts, that is second to none.
You can rest assured that as a result of hard years of training, there will now be a lot of junior members who can now proudly point to a lady, in this the month of May and Mothers’ Day, proclaim for all to hear, “That’s my mum.“
