Golden haul for local athletes

Wairarapa athletes picked up an impressive haul of fourteen gold medals at the Goju Ryu Karate national championships held at Victoria University on July 14.
The team with athletes from Masterton, Greytown, Featherston and Martinborough, dominated the event with victories in 14 of the 25 categories.
Featherston's Paul Cantwell, 42, defended his national heavyweight crown and won two more titles in the points sparring (Shiai) and the open Kata competition.
Youngster Cole Falloon, also from Featherston, won two Kumite golds in the 12 years and under age group.
Claire McNeil from Martinborough won the women's open division Points Sparring and the women's Dojo Sparring.
Other athletes who came home from the Wellington event with a national title to their name include; Masterton's Luke Reily and Jacques Beaumont, Greytown's Kirstin Rodgers, Alister Hughes and Fred de Lara-Bell, Martinborough's Amanda McLeod, and Featherston's Thomas Duncan.
Cantwell, a second degree black belt, said the stunning Wairarapa results reflect the high calibre coaching in the region.
"We have three chief-instructors in the Wairarapa, a fifth degree black belt and two fourth degree black belt holders," he said.
As a 42-year-old, Cantwell suspects his competition days are coming to an end, but he is relishing his coaching role as a junior instructor.
"I love the coaching and we have some fantastic talent in the Wairarapa," he said.
He signalled out Beaumont, Duncan, Rodgers, Falloon and de Lara-Bell as young athletes to keep an eye on.
The Goju Ryu Karate athletes train up to four nights a week throughout the region.
They meet up at each Monday night in Masterton and the Goju Ryu club has become so popular that they are looking for a bigger training venue.
"It's shoulder to shoulder on Monday nights at Bannister Street and we really need more space," Cantwell said.
Wairarapa results:-
Mens Kata
12 and under 10 6th kyu: L Riley 1, F de Lara-Bell 2, S Riley 3. 13 16 years 10 - 6th kyu: H Braddick 2. 5th kyu: C Pops 3. 10-6th kyu: A Hosnell 3. 5th kyu: J Beaumont 1, P Rodgers 2.
Dan grade: P Cantwell 1.
Mens Kumite
12 and under 10 6th kyu: C Falloon 1, L Riley 3. 5th kyu: C Falloon 1. 13 16 years 10 - 6th kyu: F de Lara-Bell 1, H Braddick 2. 5th kyu: T Duncan 1.
Ippon points sparring up to 80kg: A Hughes 3. 81kg & over: P Cantwell 1, A Hosnell 3.
Iri Kumi dojo sparring up to 80kg: A Hughes 1. 81kg & over: P Cantwell 1, P Rodgers 2, J Beaumont 3.
Womens Kata
10-6th K Rodgers 1, C McNeill 3.
Kumite
Ippon points sparring 55-64kg: A McLeod 1. 65kg and over: C McNeill 1, K Wollard 2, D Hosnell.
Womens Kumite
Iri Kumi dojo sparring 55-64kg: K Rodgers 2, A McLeod 3. 65kg and over: C McNeill 1, K Wolland 2, D Hosnell 3.