A SQUAD of 14 athletes and coaches from Warren Hickey’s Martial Arts Academy have come away from the International Sports Karate Association World Cup with a plethora of trophies and titles last weekend.

In total there were three World Cup wins and another 10 top-three finishes for the group, who were among around 800 competitors at the tournament.

They competed in a handful of different disciplines including kata, weapons kata, self-defence and point sparring and the participants ranged from as young as eight years old through to over 40.

The highlights from a Bathurst point of view came from Lewis Dunshea, Brittany Reece and Kiara Blattman who all came away with title wins.

Blattman took first place in her kata division, while Dunshea also won his kata, and added a runner-up finish in the weapons kata.

Reece replicated that effort with first in kata and second in weapons kata.

They weren’t the only students to taste success.

Felicity Hickey took second place in kata, while Dale Thornberry had a profitable weekend with third in point sparring, second in weapons kata and second in self-defence.

Neesha Ward was second in self-defence and second in kata, while Jason Gay finished second in point sparring and Brodie Gay second in kata.

“Our people did so well because they were training an extra two or three hours on top of their usual training four or five days a week in the weeks leading up to the tournament,” head instructor Warren Hickey said of the overall performance.

“Tournaments allow our students to put into practice what they learn in class, however this isn’t a compulsory component of training with our academy.

“All of our students are winners in terms of their attitudes and dedication. Because of the preparation they did prior to the tournament they have increased their fitness levels and sharpened the skills that are required for the upcoming black belt grading. In our club, regardless of whether we win or lose, our culture is to show respect and have good sportsmanship.”

The Martial Arts Academy has recently expanded at their new state-of-the-art training facility on Bradwardine Road and are looking for new members.

For more information call 0417 694 904.