Students endure tough week
By Charles Pitt

John Whitta, Tuari Dawson, Angela Makikiriti and Philip Roi

Kiai! The Karate “spirit” shout echoed throughout the quiet village of Karekare for a week leaving the bewildered neighbours wondering whether Bainimarama’s coup had hit the Rock.
It was the week when the Shogun Gym hosted its intensive training, assessment and grading for the members of the Cook Islands Martial Arts Academy.
Under the close supervision and close scrutiny of chief instructor Shihan Dan Turua, and before a judging panel, 23 courageous warriors endured the five-day annual event.
The event included Kata (forms), basic drills, sparring, Judo, grappling, weapons and self defence. The students kicked high and fast, punched with lightning speed and pilot like control, twirled weapons, leapt, weaved and slashed their way through most difficult forms.
The consistent, high standard from young champion Tania Apera (13 years) throughout the year along with an outstanding grading performance, earned her the “Most Promising Junior Trophy” for 2006. Not far behind were Teau (Ting) Rairoa, Daniel Crocombe and Natalia and Eri Short.
Going for their 1st and 2nd Dan Black Belts respectively, Angela Makikiriti and John Whitta were honoured to be interviewed by panel members: local Black Belt legends George Ellis (Kyokushinkai Karate), Padre Tairea (Taekwondo), Shi Gung Kati Unuia (Tei Shin Pai Kung Fu), and veteran Mariri Pureau (Ashihara Karate). These exponents gave the pair some extraordinary and inspirational insights into the Budo spirit of Martial Arts.
Also on the judging panel was Sensei Tuari Dawson, (a 5th Dan Goju Ryu Karate) from New Zealand.
Although from diverse Martial Arts backgrounds, the judging panel reiterated the importance of staying focused, personal development and commitment to one’s respective goals in life using Karate as a vehicle.

Headlines : Times 180 11 Dec 2006
- Women wanted: Why this man’s here
- Nanette’s report top in the islands
- TOURISM BOOST
- GET READY RARO
- Puna on Wigmore It’s right decision
- Why Wigmore win struck out
- Students endure tough week
- GET WITH GAMES
- Lafala a name to celebrate

Headlines : Times 179 04 Dec 2006
- Tepaki’s $48 million plan
- Top class private hospital planned
- Group aims to reverse depopulation
- Letter to the Editor: Embrace our future with the truth
- Telecom launches 2-year project to bring you better connections
- Research job strengthens new framework
- Guilty of being bad
- Manukau boosts business here
- Sneak preview of 777 here
- $20 George’s limit
- Justice Weston to crack ‘tough nut’ poll ruling