HANSARD EXTRACT
| Statements by
Members: United Kempo Martial Arts Academy |
| 7 September 2006 |
Mr HAYES
(Werriwa)
(9.55
a.m.)—I
would like to draw to the attention of the House the fact that,
since 1997, the United Kempo Martial Arts Academy has been providing
instruction in martial arts for the youth of the south-west of
Sydney. Based in Austral, under the guidance and direction of Sensei
Jordan Micakovski—a man so committed to his local community that he
was awarded the local Australian of the year by Liverpool
council—the academy has achieved a reputation for excellence at a
regional, national and, now, international level.
In August of this year, the academy entered a team in the inaugural
World Martial Arts Games, which were held in
Victoria, Canada. The United Kempo team won a total of 48 medals—21
gold, 15 silver and 12 bronze. Two grand champion awards were won,
as was the champion of champions trophy. Australia won second place
overall in the tournament, narrowly losing to the host nation,
Canada, which was a remarkable achievement, given the fact that
there were a total of 27 nations in competition at those games.
I would particularly like to congratulate team members on their
personal achievements: Lochlan Tabone, three gold, one silver, one
bronze; Samuele Xotta, one gold, three silver, one bronze; Sash
Dimevski, one gold, one silver, two bronze; Daria Xotta, two gold,
one silver, one bronze; Simon Everitt, one gold, two bronze and
qualified grand champion for the 10- to 13-year-olds; Lucy Di Lario,
two gold, one silver, one bronze; Adam Di Lario, three gold, two
silver; Darren Tabone, two gold, one bronze and qualified for under
belt grand champion aged 18 years and older; Laurie Hand, one
silver, one bronze; Bob Everitt, one silver, one bronze; Jake
Cremona, two gold, one silver, one bronze; and Sensei Alex
Micakovski, three gold, two silver and grand champion black belt for
18- to 25-year-olds and overall adult grand champion in black belt
weapons.
I am very proud to be the patron of United Kempo Martial Arts
Academy. I am proud of not simply the team’s achievements but what
this organisation does within our community and particularly what it
does for the youth of the community of south-western
Sydney. It is very much a credit to Sensei
Jordan,
his leadership and his giving of his time so freely to the youth of
our area.
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