This year's New Zealand Universities Karate Championships were held at the Canterbury University Recreation Centre on Friday 13 April. The championships formed part of the 2007 University Games which saw 2,000 student athletes compete in 28 sports in New Zealand's second largest multi sport event. Karate athletes from 8 Universities competed in Kata and Kumite. Auckland University anchored by Oceania Champions Travis Butler and Brendon Running dominated the Men's competition. In the Women's competition unheralded Lincoln prevailed.
Stand out individual performers were:
Travis Butler who took out the "treble" in the Men's Open Kata, Men's Open Kumite and the Men's +78 kg kumite;
Kylie Rochford of Canterbury who was impressive in winning the Women's Open Kumite, Women's under 60 kg Kumite and placing 3rd = in the Women's Open kata;
Brendon Running who won the Men's under 78 kg Kumite and pushed Butler all the way before losing in overtime in the Men's open Kumite;
Oceania Champion Tamara Glynn of Auckland who won the women's +60 kg Kumite;
Sarah Campbell of Waikato in the Women's Open kata;
John Zhao of Victoria who won the Men's Novice Kata and the Men's Novice under 80 kg Kumite.
The full results of the Championships are attached for download.
All competitors are to be commended on the excellent spirit exhibited throughout the event. Karate New zealand also thanks tournament organiser Pat McGregor and Referees Robbie Smith, Kevin Plaisted, Chris Hall, Patricia Reilly and George Glausius for their efforts in ensuring the smooth running of the Championships.
New Zealand University Karate looks in good shape as it prepares for next year's World Universities Karate Championships in Wrocklaw, Poland. Looking further ahead, Karate athletes are excited at the news that Karate has been added to the programme for the 2009 Universiade in Belgrade. This is the first time Karate has been included in the World Student Games which is one of the World's biggest and most prestigious multi sport events.
Downloads 2007 NZ Universities Karate Championships Results
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