Karratha karate club kicks off new year

Helping kids grow in discipline, co-ordination, respect and confidence, Karratha Shotokan Karate hopes to encourage more young karatekas in 2025.

Topping off a year of growth in 2024, the karate club hosted its annual Christmas party and presentation wind-up in late November at the Karratha International Hotel.

The female and male club champion awards went to Imogen Battilana and Richie Jana after they excelled in all karate disciplines.

“Imogen and Richie exceeded in kihon (the basic fundamentals of karate), kata (a series of choreographed movements) and kumite (a combat style of karate),” sensei Carl Wangemann said.

“There are so many moves and katas, and they have been able to execute them without any mistakes for quite some time.”

Wangemann said a highlight for the club in 2024 was competing in the Japanese Karate Association Western Australia State Championships.

“In the State championships, Julia Chay won the silver medal in kumite, and Aiden Hartung placed third with his kata,” he said.

“A personal highlight for me always is when the kids successfully grade after all of the hard work they put into training.

“We had such a busy year in 2024; opening up another club in Wickham, as well as Karratha, with approximately 60 students combined.”

For the club’s senseis, nothing is more rewarding than watching the kids grow and improve.

“Sometimes you get kids that come in and they’re really timid, but within six months they’re out their shell,” Wangemann said.

“We hope to encourage more juniors and seniors of all ages to come along and enjoy the training that boosts confidence and teaches discipline and respect.”

This year, Karratha Shotokan Karate will open up another club in Dampier, training at the Dampier Community Hub on Wednesdays when the school term starts.