Students from Pollet’s schools in Orange, Dubbo, Penrith and Granville, as well as their satellite schools in Cudal, Forbes and Grenfell were all involved, and there was plenty of close competition as a result.

Incredibly, students as young as three years old competed in the ‘little tigers’ division, which caters for all students aged three, four and five.

Eden Thompson, Taylor Conway, Bayli Alvey and Phoenix Vella all picked up wins in the category.

At the other end of the scale some of the most experienced practitioners competed in divisions including the men’s koshiki for 35 years and 80 kilos-plus, where Bathurst local Kelemani Otutaha saluted.

One of the most hotly contested events given, that it is full-contact fighting with protective equipment, koshiki is one of the premier contests at any tournament and it did not disappoint this time around either.

“Jumping front kicks, jumping spinning kicks, spinning back knuckles, jumping reverse punches and other advance techniques were great to watch,” said sensei Jason Puxty, head instructor from Pollet’s Orange dojo.

“It was good for the students to get the opportunity to try them out in a full contact fighting situation.

“It’s always an exciting fighting method and it held the attention of the crowd from the youngest fighters at five years of age, right through the ages and ranks. “The competitors shared a laugh and acknowledged their opponents when a good move scored a point.”

Among the winners in koshiki were Sylas Henderson, Alexia Pollet, Jayden Brown, Ava Pollet, Kyle Turner, Makaah Darcy, Kobe Vella, Amira Trad, Jessica Puxty and Daniel Brown in the younger grades.

In the older divisions Ben Morrison, Giamia Radice, Chris Dobrow, Jesse Pinder, Scott Honeysett and Otutaha were all winners, with Honeysett taking out the award for the most spirited koshiki fighter.

“Our youngest competitor in koshiki was Tyra Pollet, at just three years of age and she performed very well,” sensei Puxty said.

“Of course at that age and with full protective equipment the contact isn’t even felt by the kids, but it teaches them how to react, move and more importantly have fun.”

A handful of weapons categories were contested, with Cheyenne Jurgutis, Ben Morrison, Chris Dobrow and Leanne Hamilton each picking up a win.

“We were extremely fortunate to have our head instructor [Hanshi Ian Pollet] who is trained in so many of the traditional Okinawan weapons and his teachings were evident at the tournament,” sensei Puxty said.

“The weapons included the Bo [pole], the Sai and the unusual but beautiful fan. 

“To see so many students continuing the very old tradition of weapons was inspiring and all of the students should be proud of their achievements.”

In the kata divisions Jayden Brown, Ava Pollet, Connor Shields, Max Collins, Isabella Henrich, Maurice Otutaha, Felicity Vella, Andrew Borland and Alexandra Shields were all victorious in the younger age groups.

In the seniors Lachlan Campbell, Giamia Radice, Chris Dobrow, Anthe Pelian, Kohnny Vuong, Leanne Hamilton, Ronald Pelino and Nikki Plaisted each picked up a win.