Mishela, Zlatko and Marijana Dimoska.
Camera IconMishela, Zlatko and Marijana Dimoska. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Karate: Westminster twins set sights on 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Kristie LimEastern Reporter

INTERNATIONAL karate twins Marijana and Mishela Dimoska, of Westminster, are looking to achieve their biggest dream in representing Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The 20-year-old twins have been training at karate since they were four years old.

At the national championships in Caloundra last month, they reached the final in the junior under-21s and national seniors categories, with Marijana winning gold in both finals.

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This result followed a gold and silver medal return at the 2018 Oceania Championships earlier this year.

They have also won several medals at world under-21 championship, European Championships and World Cups.

The WA Institute of Sport scholarship holders train under their parents Zlatko and Eli, who have more than 40 years of experience, at Ronin Mamisde Karate Club in Balcatta.

Marijana said it was exciting to have won four medals at the nationals for the second-straight year.

“We started to compete when we were six years old and from the very beginning, we met each other in the final at nationals in Europe and now nationals here and once at World Cup in 2013,” she said.

“For almost 14 years, I have competed against Mishela and I’m used to it.

“On the mats we are rivals but we always support each other no matter who wins.”

Marijana said they hoped to compete at a series A premier league event in Shanghai and the Commonwealth Championship in South Africa later this year.

“Next year, we are planning to go to more K1 Premier leagues and the Oceania Championships as well and collect points for the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo 2020,” she said.

Mishela said sport was not only about winning and glory, as it gathered people from all over the world.

“For us, the most important thing is the friendships we make with people from every country that will last forever; that’s what we adore about karate,” she said.

“Also, it gives us an opportunity to travel the world and learn more about different cultures.

“We don’t stop here… these are just first steps for us to accomplish our next goals and the biggest dream of every athlete: winning medals at the Olympics.”