A FATHER-son karate duo from Nollamara have set their sights on obtaining black belts after winning gold medals at the same competition last month.

Lester Maru John (40) and his oldest son Hayden (8) won gold at the WAKL Senshinkan Open in March.

They have been training under chief instructor Mark Golding at Gold Martial Arts in Balcatta for five years.

Lester started karate in Malaysia as an eight year old and trained for four years before making a comeback to the sport as an adult.

He previously won a silver medal for WA in the veterans category at last year’s national championships.

Hayden, who won his first gold medal in the male developing 9 years category, said he was proud when he and his dad won gold.

His win added to two gold medals and one silver in the male developing 8 category last year.

Lester, who started karate in Malaysia when he was eight, said his son was very disciplined and worked very hard at training.

“We train together at Gold Martial Arts on Wednesday and Fridays in the specialised sports karate program,” he said.

“I am so glad that both of my sons and I share the same interest in karate.

“Hayden has taken on the responsibility of helping his little brother Isaac with his training.

“It has allowed us to spend a lot of quality time together and I have found, our relationship has strengthened during this time.”

Lester aimed to achieve a good result at this month’s state championships, gain selection for this year’s national championships and achieve his senior black belt.

Hayden’s goal was to gain his junior black belt and be selected in the state team for next year’s national championships.

The duo thanked Golding and the club for their support.

LANDSDALE karate competitor Christopher Pugliese is looking to develop his teaching skills in 2019, after he became the first junior black belt holder at his Balcatta club.

The 14-year-old was awarded the belt last month at Gold Martial Arts.

He started training with coach Mark Golding in Nollamara in 2011 – one of Golding’s first students.

Pugliese said the achievement was satisfying after many years of training.

“I enjoy the training, the friendships and the many valuable life lessons learnt including perseverance, hard work and dedication,” he said.

“The training has taught me to never give up and to keep pushing myself no matter what.

“My goals for 2019 include developing my teaching skills to assist with more classes as well as compete in the Western Australian Karate League competition events.”

He hoped to continue to focus on training and achieve his senior black belt in the future.

FOUR karate athletes from Balcatta-based Gold Martial Arts clinched medals at the Australian Karate Federation National Championships this month.

Sorrento resident Laura Golding won silver in the under-21s Kumite competition and Lester John Maru, of Nollamara, won a silver medal in the veteran Kata aged 35 to 45 years category.

Brothers Benjamin and Cameron Quinn, of Beechboro, won a silver medal in the children team Kumite category and a bronze medal in the under-12 Kumite respectively.

Tuart Hill resident Rocco Fowler and Gwelup resident Maddison Phillips also competed at the Nationals.

Chief instructor Mark Golding said his athletes performed well to achieve great results.

“The success was in part due to the outstanding attitude and sustained commitment displayed to the training program in the lead-up to the event and their ability to perform under pressure on the day of competition,” he said.

“The National Championships is the premier karate event in Australia and the younger athletes accounted for themselves against strong opposition extremely well given their level of experience.”

Golding said his club would compete at a season-ending event at ECU in Joondalup on October 21.

Athletes from various suburbs including Balcatta, Bayswater, Beechboro, Dianella, Gwelup, Hamersley, Morley, Sorrento, Stirling and Tuart Hill took part in both Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring) at the club’s second WAKL competition held at Edith Cowan University Joondalup on May 27.

Chief instructor Mark Golding said the club was proud of all its students who continued to show dedication to training and prepare for competitions.

“Some of the highlights included the performances of our youngest athletes, who were competing for the very first time through to our more experienced athletes who have been consistently successful throughout the season so far,” he said.

“Our focus is the next WAKL event scheduled for June 24 as well as those athletes who have been selected to represent Western Australia at the National Championships in Caloundra, Queensland from August 3 to 5.”

Congratulations to Sensei Mark Golding on being appointed Head Coach of the Australian Team competing at the 19th Oceania Karate Championships in Auckland, New Zealand on 18 – 20 May 2018.