Local black belt, Tim Smith is set to take on some of the best in the world when he heads to Barcelona later this month to compete at the European Kyokushin Karate Championships.
Smith, 18, will fight in the heavyweight division at the championships, which will be his first time competing overseas.
The local Hawkesbury Kyokushin student and instructor says he is looking forward to the experience of taking on some of the best in the world.
“I’m hoping to gain some valuable experience and positively represent Australia as a nation,” Smith said.
“I’m nervous, but at the same time I’m very excited to be able to compete with other karateka from around the world.”
Smith started competing in Karate two years ago and in that time has achieved third and second in Kempo Kyu National Full Contact Karate, as well as placing second in the Victorian Kyukoshin Karate Tournament as a Junior (17 + 18 yo’s). He has also competed in the last two full contact National Kyukoshin Karate tournaments.
He will be travelling to Spain for the one day tournament on October 27 with Ninth Dan and Australian Kyukoshin Karate director Hanshi Taylor and his local instructor, Sempi Rohan Smith.
Smith, who has been learning the art of Karate for 14 years, says he has big ambitions when it comes to his future in the sport.
“I’m hoping to progress to a world level and hopes to complete a 100-man kumite after he gains some experience,” he said.
“I love the mental strength developed from training in Karate, the physical conditioning of the body and the sportsmanship that all competitors have.”
