This Friday, the Yass Dojo will be represented at the Go-Kan-Ru Karate World Cup at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre.
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Ayden and Jasper Pothan and Heather Hall have been training hard in preparation for the event, under the watchful eye of their sensei's Mandy Yialeloglou and Chris and Michaela Pothan.
The World Cup comprises of teams from Australia, USA, Canada, UK and New Zealand with more than 1200 competitors in all.
Eleven-year-old Ayden Pothan is a red-belt and will be competing in the 4th Kyu (division), while seven year old brother Jasper is a blue-belt and will be competing in the seven years and under category. 10 year old Heather Hall is a new comer to the sport having only been practicing the martial art for just over 12 months. The orange-belt has excelled in her short career, winning gold in the Kata Saifa in her latest tournament in Sydney.
All three are confident of performing well against these international teams in the two disciplines of Kumite and Kata. Kumite is the sparring competition, while Kata is performed on your own.
Jasper Pothan says his specialty is the Kata competition.
"I won a silver medal in Sydney and a bronze before that, so I want gold now," he said.
Sensei Michaela Pothan told the Tribune it is a very rare and special occasion.
"The World Cup is every two years but many of the Australian competitors haven't participated in one because it is too expensive to travel overseas for it."
"The last time it was held in Australia was eight years ago, so there is a lot of hype surrounding this one.
"We're quietly confident, we have a very talented team and everyone has been doing a lot of extra training leading up to it."
GKR Yass is part of the international Go-Kan-Ru Karate Federation and was established back in 1995. Classes run on Saturday's from 10.15-11.45am and Thursday's 6.15-7.45pm at Berimba Primary School and "promote a positive self-defence family environment for all students".