AK: I started training in Shotokan karate in 1990. My only reason was to support the neighbour’s kids as they were being bullied at school, but I loved it and stuck with it for 6 years. Unfortunately, I was forced out through injury in 1995. In 1999, the opportunity arose to join Go-Kan-Ryu (GKR) Karate. I have trained with GKR ever since and love every minute of it I’m currently training 4 times per week.

What are your favourite (and most effective for scoring) techniques?

AK: My favourite techniques and the ones I score most with are reverse punch, mawashi geri (round kick) and front hand jab. There are a lot of youngsters coming up through the ranks who are very quick, so it keeps me on my toes to work on my speed. I’m working on all my techniques to have a wider range to score with.

Do your tactics change with each match? How do you approach the mental side of competition?

AK: My tactics always change as no two opponents are the same. I watch and study the other competitors to learn about them and their style of fighting. About an hour before competing I warm up and practice my kata and kumite and always stay focused on my goal.

What was it about NAS that appealed to you?

AK: I had heard about the NAS in Australia and liked the way it encouraged all styles of martial arts to get involved. I wanted to be a part of that and to test my skills against a wider variety of martial artists. After entering, I also realised how great it was to meet new people from other martial arts. Not only are they friendly (out of the ring), you can learn a lot from talking to people.

You have been a tournament competitor for some time. What have been your highlights?

AK:
Australia World Cup 2001(GKR) 21& Above 6th – 4th Kyu Kumite Gold
UK National Titles 2002(GKR) Open Kumite Gold
Birmingham World Cup 2003(GKR) Open Kumite Bronze
UK National Titles 2004(GKR) Open Kumite Gold
Australia World Cup 2005(GKR) Team Kata & Kumite Gold
UK National Titles 2005(GKR) Open Kumite Gold
UK National Titles 2006(GKR) Open Kata Gold
UK National All Styles 2006 Heavy Weight Point Sparring Gold
UK National All Styles 2006 Female Champion Of Champions

How much do you use your NAS performance as an overall gauge of your martial arts development?

AK: NAS is great because it tests your skills. Not only your physical skills but your mental fortitude. For example, how you handle pressure, how you can analyse an opponent and exploit their weaknesses etc.Butin the end, martial arts training is a personal journey so I would gauge about 80% of my martial arts development on dojo training. Here I’m still being tested, only it is against myself. Winning Champion of Champions was amazing because of all those great fighters, I proved the best ‘on the day’. But I consider my greatest achievement to be my Ni-Dan (2nd Dan) grading.

Speaking of the personal journey, what life lessons have you learnt through martial arts?

AK: There would be so many, some of the most powerful lessons would be: develop a positive mental attitude, set goals, work hard to achieve them and never give up on your goals and dreams…ever! Finally I would have to add, that while it is a personal journey, you can’t go it alone. There will always be testing times with training and you need caring instructors and fellow students around to keep you focused and motivated. I have been very lucky to have fantastic instructors in the likes of my husband Eliot and Sensei Jason Wright. I have also had close friend Kirsty Brierley and many other fellow students to encourage and supported me. My winning belongs to these people as much as it does to me.