The Fifth GKR World Cup was held in the Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August 2009. Around 1200 competitors and many spectators made it an event to remember. The March-in started proceedings with the 13 strong USA Team leading the way. Team UK, around 180, was next, followed by New Zealand. The host nation Australia was next, with States marching in one by one. Last was the officials, whom without there would be no Tournament. The Opening Ceremony started with the traditional Bow-in to Kancho, Shihan, Sensei Gavin Samin, the Zone Directors and Autogani, Kancho, followed by Shihan, welcomed everyone and then handed over to the Tournament Director Sensei Gavin Samen, who advised on the layout of the rings and announced the first events. Day 1 saw 24 rings set up in the 2 halls, with a fully matted 12 ring set up for the Open and Team events on Day 2. Around 45 South Australians competed across all Belt Divisions and Age Groups. In a great result for local competitors, Kate Jamieson, Nik McDonald and Cory Burnside took out World Titles. All up, there were 12 individual and 2 team medals won by South Australians.

Main results are:

South Australian results:

World Champions - Kate Jamieson (Female 18-34 year 3-1st kyu Kata), Nik McDonald (Male 18-34 year 3-1st kyu Kumite), Cory Burnside (Male 18-34 year 6-4th kyu Kumite)

Second Place - Daniel Tregenza (Male Veteran 35-44 year 3rd kyu+ Kata), Kirsty Kane (Female Veteran 35-44 year 3rd kyu+ Kata), Shirley Wrightson (Female Veteran 45+ 8th-7th kyu  Kata)

Third Place - Daniel Andrew (Male 14-15 year 6-4th kyu Kata and Kumite), Nik McDonald (Male 18-34 year 3-1st kyu Kata), Cory Burnside (Male 18-34 year 6-4th kyu Kata), Craig Johnson (Male Veteran 35-44 year 6-4th kyu Kata), Jackie Probert (Female 18-34 year 3-1st kyu Kumite)

Male Team Kata - 2nd Place (Daniel Tregenza, Alan Gillert, Beau Beaumont), 3rd Place (Jeremy Thompson, Ben Juett, Joe Van Strijp)

Kata Photos: Alan Gillert, Ben Juett, Jess Dubois, Lateilia Mobbs, Jordan Haffner, Angel Marston, Bernie Wright, Chris Cope, Lesley McDonald, Jenny Miller, Jess Curtis, Joe Van Strijp

Kumite Photos: Alan Gillert, Beau Beaumont, Cameron Wright v Lachlan Carr, Cameron Wright v Lachlan Carr, Jeremy Thompson v Ben Cunningham, Jeremy Thompson, Daniel Tregenza, Daniel Tregenza, Jeremy Thompson, Joe Van Strijp, Seb Nazar, Seb Nazar, Lateilia Mobbs, Lateilia Mobbs, Lateilia Mobbs, Tegan Miller, Steve Burford, Chris McDonald, Fraser Thompson, Jenny Miller, Nik McDonald, Nik McDonald, Lesley McDonald, Beau Beaumont, Cameron Wright, Joe Van Strijp, Joe Van Strijp, Lesley McDonald, Kirsty Kane, Jess Dubois, Jackie Probert,

Team Event Photos: 1st Place Male Sync (Ben, Lachy and Dean), Angel, Tegan, Jason (Finalists Junior Sync), Angel, Tegan, Jason (Finalists Junior Sync), Julie, Kirsty, Jess (Female Sync), Becky, Tab, Tamsin (Female Sync), Jenny, Jess, Kate (Female Sync Finalists), Female Team Kumite Winners (Victoria)

Country Teams: SA Team, SA Team, New Zealand, England, USA, Australia

Demonstrations: Gavin Samen, Gavin Samen, Shihan, Shihan, Kancho Break, Kancho Makiwara, Shane Taupo (NZ)

Colour Photos: Three Amigos, Bow-in, Hierarchy, SA Black Belts, Taiko Drummers

Thanks to John McDonald, Tamsin Stanton, Seb Nazar and others for Photos. Greatly appreciated

The official World Cup Report and Photos are now available on the official GKR Karate Website. Be sure to grab the Shimbun Magazine Vol:16  Issue:3 for the full story of all things World Cup. It includes a full summary of the competition, the demonstrations and Kancho’s grading. It also has winner profiles and heaps of photos.