Kyokushin Karate World tournament championships

I am Bernard Kane Johnson, fundraising to get to Japan for the annual Kyokushin Karate World tournament championships, held every four years. I weigh 75kg and will be fighting alongside the best in the world in a non-weight restrictions tournament. I have been training for seven years at the Palmerston north Kyokushin dojo.

I’ve made many sacrifices to develop skills, condition the spirit, mind, and body. I enjoy helping out in the juniors class and watching their technical abilities improve as they raise through the ranks. Our club is struggling for funding as senior numbers are dropping, forcing us to (hopefully only temporarily) reduce our club training nights from three - two nights a week to meet costs of the school hall. Fortunately the junior numbers are higher than senior members, giving the club hope for the future.

Sponsoring me will give a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent New Zealand in kyokushin karate. The experience I gain from this will be shared with the training and development of other students, especially the junior members. Sponsoring me gives an opportunity for me to show appreciation towards my club, town and country.

I will continue to contribute to the club by sharing my knowledge and experience. Sponsoring me provides the opportunity to gain and share knowledge and experience with others in a sport that emphasis-es respect of one’s self and others, discipline and work ethic, humbleness and self-confidence.

Thank you for your time.