More than 50 Central Coast athletes competed in the recent Australian Karate Championships held in Adelaide including Julian Lawrence who came equal third in his age division.
At the age of 52, Lawrence of Macmasters Beach said he would have been one of the oldest competitors at the championships and he was thrilled to have won a Bronze.
“The championship ran over three days and was very intense,” he said.
As a member of the NSW team, it was Lawrence’s first national championship after discovering karate five years ago.
“I was just coming out of the first COVID lockdown and as a self-employed gardener, I was a bit bored and looking for something to do,” he said.
He trains at South Kincumber and Liverpool in Sydney, ramping it up over the past six months preparing for the championships.
“It’s a lot, but if you love it, it’s all worthwhile, and I do love it.”
Lawrence said the level of enthusiasm shown by all competitors at the championships was impressive.
“I could not get over their willingness to teach and encourage me,” he said.
While it was Lawrence’s first time competing in the national championships, it won’t be his last and he’s looking forward to next year when they will be held in Hobart, Tasmania.
