The 1st Tasmania Knockdown Karate Tournament was held in Hobart,Australia.
Saturday 20th August 2011 will long be remembered in the history of Matsushima Kyokushin in Tasmania.
That was the day the first ever knockdown tournament was held in Hobart and what a tournament it was.
The event was held as a “one match” where 2 fighters are matched according to age, weight, height and experience and they then fight 2 rounds.

We attracted fighters from Victoria from HanshiTaylor’s Branch as well as Shihan Viccars. In addition we had 3 fighters from Toeikan.
Every fighter gave 110% and all matches were exciting and fought with true Kyokushin spirit. The crowd was very vocal and they were treated to a few hours of some of the most exciting fighting you could wish for.
Scott Bennett (Burnie) got the crowd in its feet with the first win of the day going to a local. However, Cameron Fordham put a damper on that by winning over Andreaus Denouw (Hobart).
Then we had 2 Toeikan fighters fight each other as one of their opponents had withdrawn the day before the event. It was an interesting fight with Matthew How getting the decision.
Paul Hussey (Hobart) took the honours over Daniel Langford (Burnie) and then Aharon Claridge (Narre Warren) scored his first ever knockdown win over Andrew Goodwin (Hobart).
Nathaniel Legionheart (Hobart) carried the hopes of his town but Matt Henry (Colac) had other ideas and scored a waza ari in the 2nd round to take the match.
David Weir-Smith (Traralgon) and John Lillico (Burnie) fought each other to a standstill and had the crowd screaming. The decision went to David but John did not lose any friends.
Craig Gollan (Hobart) came up against Amadeus Todzy and this was a “beauty” with Amadeus just getting the nod from the judges.
The last 4 matches were a joy to behold and some of the most exciting fighting you will see anywhere.
Sarah Heald (Burnie) and Rowena Fuller (Ballarat) threw everything at each other but the kitchen sink with Sarah scoring a hometown victory that sent the crowd wild.
Next up was local instructor Dean Khan against Mark Chivers from Ballarat. Dean was giving away 8kg as he lost weight instead of putting some on before the event. But he gave it his all and Mark responded. The fight swayed between advantage to one and then the other. In the end there had to be a winner and it was Mark who got the trophy and well deserved it was but Dean can certainly hold his head high.
The last 2 matches displayed what Kyokushin is all about, ask no quarter, give no quarter and fight hard. Dale Heald (Burnie) and Ben Balshaw (Sydenham) put on a blinder. The crowd was on it’s feet and they were treated to some great action. Again, the advantage seesawed until Ben twisted his knee and his day was done, giving the win to Dale and sending the crowd into raptures, but more was yet to come.
Burnie instructor Steve Crack faced Jason Walker (Ballarat). Jason is well known and a top class act. Steve had also represented Australia so this match was on another level. They hit each other with everything including the kitchen sink. Jason hit Steve with a chudan Mawashi geri that would have dropped a working bullock and the fight was over.
It was one of those days where everything just clicked. The fights were full on, the crowd was great and they appreciated the efforts of all the fighters.
The often used cliché applies because there were no losers here, and all who fought on this day can be truly proud.
I have already confirmed that this will now become an annual event.
Matsushima Kyokushin is alive and well in Tasmania.
Osu, Branch Chief;Shihancho Gary Viccars