Martial artist has Olympic sized dream

Toowoomba martial artist wins Australian karate championship

RISING STAR: Vahlsala Naidu prepares to instruct a Toowoomba Renbukan Karate class. The 15-year-old is enjoying a rich vein of form having won the kata and kumite divisions at both the Australian Renbukan Karate Championships and the Bayside Titles (Brisbane). Picture: Jason Gibbs

KARATE: Vahlsala Naidu has a dream - a dream she edges closer to every day through discipline and hard work.

The 15-year-old martial artists wants to represent Australia at the Olympics.

"Karate has only just been added to the Olympics,” she said.

"I'd love one day to represent Australia at the Olympics.

"It would take a lot of hard work and dedication but it would also be an honour.”

Recent results suggest there is a distinct possibility Naidu's dream may one day become a reality.

At the weekend Naidu won both the kata (forms) and kumite (free-sparring) events at the 2018 Bayside Titles in Brisbane - events she also won at the 2018 Australian Renbukan Karate Championships earlier this month.

"It felt good to win,” she said.

"It's a lot of work before a competition - practising my kata so that it is just right and I don't forget anything.

"I like the kumite a little bit more though, it's a real challenge.

"It tests your fitness and skills a lot.

"You have to be able to read your opponent and try to get inside their head a little bit.

"But it's also important you stay calm, prepared and work to your strengths.”

Toowoomba Renbukan Karate sensei Mike Jordan is among those who believe Naidu's future is bright.

"It's all coming together for Vahlsala right now,” Jordan said.

"Her ten years of training are coming to fruition -you can see the hard work is paying off.

"She is able to do things few students at her age are able to do.

"She is very determined and focused.”

CHAMPIONSHIP DOMINATION: Toowoomba martial artists monopolised the 2018 Australian Renbukan Karate Championships held in the Garden City at the start of the month. Members from the Toowoomba dojo won 11 of the 14 divisions contested.

Originally published as Martial artist has Olympic sized dream