New Zealand Karate Club Wins Big, Eyes Australia Trip

Twelve students from Ormond Kyokushin Karate Club in New Zealand walked into a national tournament and walked out with their heads held high after the best showing in the club's history.

At the March Match Fights & Kata tournament in Napier, the small-town club faced martial artists from across the North Island in full-contact fighting. What happened next amazed even their instructor.

Sisters Ruby and Angel Hoogland competed in their first out-of-town event and won both their matches 2-0, despite facing far more experienced opponents. First-timer Taku Floyd landed a decisive chest kick to win his match 2-1.

"Catherine, Creed and Bailey picked up dominant wins, outclassing their opponents," said instructor Zak Proudfoot. The tournament featured divisions organized by age and skill level, testing students in both fighting and kata, the traditional patterns that demonstrate technique.

Why This Inspires

Small clubs rarely compete at this level, but Proudfoot has quietly built a community of 45 to 50 members with almost no promotion. His focus on fundamentals and spirit over hype is paying off in ways that matter: confident students ready to test themselves against the best.

The tournament results earned three students, Catherine Moles, Angel Hoogland, and Creed Norman, selection for New Zealand's national squad at the upcoming Australian nationals. Whether they make the trip depends on securing funding, but the invitation itself marks a milestone for the program.

Nathan Crosby finished second in the high-grade kata division, showcasing the club's well-rounded training. Even the students who lost their matches fought hard, with Proudfoot praising their effort and technique.

The wins show what's possible when a dedicated teacher creates space for students to grow at their own pace while challenging them to reach higher.