Gisborne’s mixed martial arts centre claimed eight national titles at the recent Australian championships in Melbourne.
It was only the second time the club had competed at the Australian championships and the first time it had set a goal to win.
Its eight golds, three silvers and three bronze medals surprised club members, and everyone across Australia, last month. It was the best Victorian result, coming after the centre’s 16 state titles.
Connor Hall was the standout for Gisborne, winning three national titles and a bronze medal. He won the eight- years-and-under points sparring and traditional forms events, as well as the under-14 weapons demonstration.
Arky Ventouras took out both advanced/black-level colts heavyweight full contact and points contact divisions, and won bronze in the points sparring.
Brayden Cysani claimed gold in the 12-and-under points sparring for beginner to intermediate division, while Matt Campbell won the veterans’ freestyle sparring division and Daniel Beinet the 16-17 years beginner to intermediate level traditional forms event. Shakira Parker, in the under-10 female beginner to intermediate sparring and Henry Wilson in the colts’ advanced/black division freestyle sparring, both won silver, just missing out on state titles.
The seven medallists now join the Australian squad bound for Tokyo and the US next year.
Tara Murray
