With 100 competitors travelling in from all over the state, including Tamworth, Newcastle, Coonabarabran and Brisbane, locals were determined to make their mark in the NSW Koshiki Contact Karate Country Championships on Sunday, October 29. 

The district was well represented, with families from Delungra, Bingara, Warialda and Glen Innes joining the Inverell competitors. 

Held at the Holy Trinity School hall from 10am-5pm, fighters from the Inverell-based Jin Ryu Kan Martial Arts made the podium in almost every division. Ages ranged from under five to over 60 years. 

They were just so awesome. Good energy, and they’re just starting their journey.

Chief instructor Nick King

“It was such a great day,” chief instructor Nick King said. 

“It was a high level of skill and technique.”

He was proud of the safe practices displayed on the day, with no injuries throughout the competition.

Local twins Brennan and Bailey Cosgrove took each other on in an entertaining finals match that had some some spectators scratching their heads as they tried to identify the winner from the identical pair.

It was Bailey who finally came out on top with a points decision.

Newly added to the competition, King said everyone stopped to watch the under five years division.

“They were just so awesome. Good energy and they’re just starting their journey.”

King was thrilled with the performance of his Jin Ryu Kan students, and said with so many skilled fighters, he couldn’t pick a stand out from the day. 

“I’m super proud of all of our local competitors,” he said. 

He said it was a great opportunity for the community to host the event locally, and helped put the town’s martial artists on the map.

King said it was a spirited competition overall.