At the recent Queensland Karate Championships our local club Karate Noosa did extremely well bringing home a total of nineteen medals. Nine gold, seven silver and three bronzes.
Head sensei Bryan Dukas Black Belt 6th Dan was extremely happy with the results. “The results show the hard work dedication and discipline that the students have put into their training. However, it is their smiles off the tatami (floor mats) that shows the passion for karate.”
“The range of experience of our students with some attending their first ever tournament and others being well versed in tournament competition was vast.” For one female member of the team, it was indeed a very successful event: winning her 8th state championship in a row.
Apart from the medal tally the fact that senior students were stepping up to assist, by coaching their junior teammates, (in particular Sempai Sophia Innis, Deputy Teacher) was a good indication as to the team spirit that exists within the club. Seeing students overcome fears and emotion on and off the matt, and walk away with smiles, gives a great feeling
“Watched the smile on the face of Pat Mannion as his brother Zac, performing the Heian Kata, walking off with two gold medals from the Kata competition. He was beaming from ear to ear.”
Also, the support from some parents who waited most of the day to see the senior students compete was indeed very encouraging. To round off the day the respect shown to the referees and judges was appreciated.
Noosa’s team kata had been the first up on Tatami 1 (the mats). Our team of Alyssa Bateman, Harly Mc Ewan and Freddie Broman did well to win the silver medal. Then on Tatami 3 in their division, Cambell Finn finished the day with a bronze medal.
Lachies Robertson Division of U9 yr old boys is traditionally one of the biggest of the competition. Under the supervision of Sempai Sophia Innis, Lachie our newest competitor, powered through his first two rounds, giving the impression that he had been competing for years: his focus, snap and power on the mats was first class. He lost his third round but bounced back enough to win the bronze medal
Next on the matt were Haily McEwan and Freddie Broman. Haily dropped out early, but Freddie was spectacular winning all three rounds. Then in the black belt division Freddie was again on top and bought home the gold medal. As Senior Coach Bryan Dukas said, “ I could see a big improvement in the kata standard and could see confidence in both boys.”
In the ladies Bianca Finn and Alyssa Bakeman both performed well with Bianca winning silver and Alyssa finishing in 4th place. This was the end of the Kata division and the tournament then went into kumite (sparring) where the true nerves set in.
In this Harley McEwan and Freddie Broman showed their experience with both boys making the finals for both the kyu and black belt events: with Freddie taking gold and Harley the silver. Alyssa Bateman pushed hard to win all of her four matches: this resulted in her winning two gold medals. Next was Brianca who fought well but missed out on the medals
For Campbell Finn and Zac Mannion, it was the first time in the new aged division for cadets. Their bouts had a time limit of two minutes instead of 1m 30 seconds. Campbell went well as he knew his opponent, winning his first fight which put him into the final for gold, which he won: however, unfortunately Zac missed out on his play for third place.
Then finally it was Sophia’s turn. After helping all day with the younger students and doing schoolwork in the stands she finally got her chance. After fighting well in the opens division, she formulated a plan, which saw her make the final, held the lead, but then dropped a point, which saw her win the silver medal.
Head Coach Bryan Dukas was very proud of the overall results. “Coaches and parents were happy and proud. It was my pleasure to step up as Head of Style for Karate Noosa at the 2026 State Championships, with such fierce competitors, but who were also respectful team members.”
Once again, we have had a weekend which features our youth in sport. Well done to all involved.
Noosa Outriggers.
A flyer from Colin Jones of the Noosa Outriggers Canoe Club, keeps us up with the traditions of the birth and launch of a new a Polynesian canoe. Good luck to all those who paddle within her, enjoy the ocean and the friendship. As some once said- there are many ships on the sea of life but the greatest one of all is friendship.
It takes a whole club to bless a new canoe. The people who collect it and rig it, the people who name it, those who design and place the stickers on the hull. Then there is those who gather flowers and places them along the canoe, the one who leads the blessing, with the right intentions and those who carry it to its first touch of salty water: then raise their paddles for its maiden voyage.
To be shared with all and paddled with courage and humility. Welcome to the Noosa Outrigger Canoe Club. Dingira Warrai- Our Sea Dancer,
Surf Lifesaving.
From Sharlene Kelly a senior coach of the Noosa Heads SLSC we received a very positive report covering the Queensland Surf Lifesaving Championships. Held at Mooloolaba on the weekend Noosa finished sixth overall, peaking at the right time of the season.
Head coach Mike James said the team’s development was evident across three days of racing. Noosa’s medal haul spanned multiple disciplines, highlighting the club’s depth across water and beach events. Individual highlights included the following.
Finella Gibbs-Beal 3rd Open Female Surf Race. Darcy Lewis 3rd U19 Ironman, Josie Holmes 2nsd Open Female Beach Sprint, Amelie Green 1st in both U17 Female Beach Sprint and Bech Flags, Hayden Dewberry 3rd U19 Male Beach Sprint and Mia Caple 1ST 2 km Beach Run.
Team results. 2nd U19 Male Surf Boat and 3rd U19 Female Surf Boat. Male Rescue Tube Rescue U19 2nd, 1st Open Mixed Beach Relay, 2nd U19 Male Beach Relay, 1st U17 Female Beach Relay, 3rd Open Female Beach Relay, 1st U19 Mixed Beach Relay and 2nd U17 2X 1km Beach Run Relay.
Ski coach Sharlene kelly said the spread of medal winners across the events reflects the clubs long – term development focus. This shows our coaches are developing athletes in all areas and we will only get stronger as the years of development progress. Attention now turns to the Australian Titles in three weeks.
Before then, two Noosa athletes will compete on the national stage in kayaking. Lachie Caple and Heidi Smith, alongside coach Sharlene Kelly will travel to Western Australia for the Paddle Australia Kayak Sprint Championships, where they will race for selection on the Australian Junior Sprint Kayak Team
Noosa boat section is now really on the move. Great effort at the stats titles In the U19 Men’s division. Known as the Long Johns, they raced constantly and despite not winning a race their performance overall when the points were tallied, earned them the Silver Medal. As of now they answer to the title the Long Johns Silvers. Then to top it off the 240 master’s the Condors won th Gold Medal. The Richardson and Wrench/ Netanya Boat section is now a very happy boat team.
