Image
Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Karate: Ballajura athlete Taiyang Linnell (8) eyes more national glory in 2019

Kristie LimEastern Reporter

AFTER a 13-medal haul this year, Ballajura karate athlete Taiyang Linnell has set his sights on obtaining a brown belt in 2019.

Linnell, who currently has a blue belt, has been training for 20 months.

The eight-year-old won a gold medal for kata and silver medal in kumite in the 8-9 years division at the Go-Kan-Ryu Australian National Championships on November 24.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

His national wins followed a double-gold medal victory at the state championships.

He said he was nervous but excited to compete with the best in Australia.

“As the other boys were a lot bigger than me in kumite, I tried my best against them; I was so happy to win silver,” he said.

“I was excited to win gold as I did my favourite kata (techniques): saifa, bassai-dai and then seiunchin.

“I have achieved all my goals I set at the beginning of the year except one which is to reach red belt…I am hoping to do this next month.”

His goals for 2019 were to get a brown belt, win state tournaments for Shotokan and Go-Kan-Ryu styles and compete at nationals.