Ron Lane
To say that the results of the Karate Noosa Shotokan Club, at the recent World Shotokan Karate Federation Championships, were their best ever, would be a statement well deserved. From a team of seven, proudly identified in their national green and gold track suits, the medal tally was outstanding: 11 medals in all, gold silver and bronze.
Last week we learned that the Dukas family,(Noosa Karate) represented by three generations of grandfather Mike Dukas (8thDan), son Bryan (6th Dan Head Coach) and granddaughter Mikalya (Brown Belt) were in attendance. As this was considered to be somewhat unique, they were honoured, by being invited to give a demonstration Kata at the opening ceremony of the tournament.
There would have to be a big possibility, that this gesture of respect, set the mental tempo for the team when they stepped on to the competition mats. Once the competition was underway, Noosa’s Sophia Innis certainly made her presence felt competing in the Girls Kata, Kumite and Team Kumite, Sophia won two gold, and one silver.
Noosa’s Head Coach Sensei Bryan Dukas said, “Winning both the Kata and Kumite is considered the ultimate for any karate competitor.” In the Kumite (sparring) competition the Noosa team came home with a total of 7 medals. “Some people label me as a Kata coach, but our students always do better due to strong basic (Kata) training,” said coach (sensei) Dukas”
The personal record of Coach Dukas in international Kata competition, is proof of statement, having won the Veterans Men’s Kata, three times in a row 2017,2O19 and 2023. At these championships Head Sensei Kasuya (9th Dan), commented on the high standard of his Kata, despite the fact that, “at 45 years of age he is still competing with the open men.”
Gold medal winners were: Sophie Innis, Kim Bateman, Bianca Finn and Bryan Dukas. Silver medals: Mikayla Dukas, Sophie Innis, Bianca Finn, Bryan Dukas and the bronze, Amy Cavanagh and Bianca Finn. Once again, the athletes of our community have not only competed against the best, but come back to us as winners.
On Friday evening, all members of the Karate Noosa Shotokan club gathered at the Noosa Lawn Bowls Club for their annual Presentation of Trophies. This was yet another successful occasion with a big crowd of coaches, students and parents in attendance. With members as young as seven years to the veteran masters, Head Coach and Master of Ceremony Bryan Dukas gave a very sincere welcome to all.
“I would like to thank you all for being here and above all thank everyone for their work and support down through the year. And a big thank you to our sponsors.” Following this he called upon the clubs Team Captain Amy Cavanagh, to give a detailed report on their recent trip to the World Titles.
A very pleasing aspect was to see so many family groups in attendance: this goes well for the future. Following the recent success of Karate Noosa in the world titles and the success of the Noosa Caza Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club, at the Pan Pacific Titles, it goes without saying that these two martial arts clubs, must now rate amongst Australia’s finest .
Congratulations to both Head Coaches, Professor Yoshi Hasegawa of the Caza Jiu-Jitsu Club and Bryan Dukas of Karate Noosa. The support of their coaching panels is also acknowledged.
Noosa Outriggers
With the Outriggers World Titles to be held next year at Hilo in Hawaii, training and competition will certainly be on the up and up. Last weekend, the first race of the day was over the Short Course 8km for Mixed Women’s teams.
Noosa’s Golden Women came 2nd in their division, while Paz Hegarty and Sally Scarce came 1st and 2nd in the Novice Women’s Class Race 2 was also a Short Course Novice race for men, a class for newer competitors. Hoani and Bodo steered their teams 2nd and 3rd overall. Paul Redfern took his novice team to 5th place. Phils team took out 1st place in the Golden Masters Men.
Race 3, 4 and 5 were all junior races and consisted of teams from Noosa and mixed with some juniors from Mooloolaba. Junior Outrigging is very much a work in progress and coaches in Noosa were very excited by our results. Next was a Women’s long course event over 12km. This was won by Brisbane, with Noosa teams performing well. Paz Hegarty’s ladies came 2nd in Senior Masters Women.
Mabbot and Rasmussen came 1st and 2nd in the Golden Masters Women’s class and Noosa Novice Women took out their division. Second last race of the day was the Men’s Novice Long Course and this was hotly contested. Mooloolaba Open Men finished 1st but Noosa’s Masters Men would have won, if not for a three minute penalty, breaking the start line.
Our Golden Masters Men led by Disney and Henry took out 1st and 2nd and our Masters Men came 2nd in their class. Our Novice Men won as did Noosa’s Platinum Men. The last race of the day was a real cracker, with our mixed team led by club President Bodo Lenitschek, held on for a strong victory over team Surfers Paradise. The Noosa Novice won their division again, while team Duff came 2nd
All in all, it was a fun day with great results for the home club. Well done to all teams with clubs travelling from Bundaberg, Tabolilla, Brisbane, Burleigh, Caloundra and Scarborough. Once again, we have a sport that has really taken off in Noosa. But above all, a sport for all ages. We wish them well.
Rowing
Noosa Boat crews, rowing under sweep Stu Cooper have started off in Round 1 of the Queensland Cup, with a successful day at Currumbin. Conditions to say the least were very testing, 15/20 knot N.E . winds. In the u19 girls both teams made the finals with good results throughout the heats. The Angry Birds finished 2nd and the Roadrunners finished 3rd.
The U19 boys rowed in some hot heats and always finished in the top three: this resulted in their finishing 3rd in the final. In the masters division the Condors ( Masters 220+) finished 2nd on a point’s score back, after four races.
Newly formed U23 female crew, training under sweep Dave Tomba, have shown some promising boat speed: and with every training session their fitness is improving. The u23 men’s are going hard and also improving with every carnival. This is a hot division with the front runners currently making the finals in the Open men’s.
For our u19 school girls it’s been a tough month with internal travel, year 12 exams and schoolies activities. This is a team with plenty courage. Reserve grade women’s rowed well all day, qualifying 1st place going into the finals: an exceptional effort for a crew with only two rows together.
Things didn’t look good in the final, turning 3rd at the cans, but they took advantage of the choppy conditions, rowed past the leaders and ended winning by a wave length. A truly gutsy performance.
This season a lot of eyes will be on two men’s crews. Swept by Mick Gardner, they are continuing a big boat tradition in the Noosa Surf club, which was started back in 1949. Both crews, the reserves and the u19 men’s, are also members of the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union club. This is continuing a great relationship between the two clubs. Rowing in the summer and Rugby in winter.
It was in the bar room of the Noosa Lifesavers Supporters club, that the Dolphins Rugby club, held their first ever meeting. We wish both clubs all the best for the seasons ahead: and remember, traditions build pride and pride is the mother of champions.
Next week we go Between the Flags to summarise and acknowledge the outstanding success of our Noosa Seahorse Nippers.
