Hundreds descend on Nelson for Seido Karate competition

Up to 250 players from overseas and around the country competed in the 50th anniversary Nelson Seido Karate tournament over the weekend.

Organiser  Aaron Barber describes the standard of sparring and fighting competition as “really good”.

He’s sure his late father Andy Barber, who founded the Nelson dojo in 1974, would have been impressed.

“While there were a few blood noses and heat stroke, none of the competitors were knocked out,” says Aaron. Although loathe to single out local individuals, Aaron was impressed with Naomi Alderson who won the women’s lightweight contact sparring division.

She also placed second equal in women’s open kata and third in light weight point fighting.

Local Fiona Warner placed first in open hand kate and first in weapons kata, while Paola Andreuzzi placed second in women’s point fighting. The event packed out the Nelson College for Girls gymnasium and later The Buxton for the awards celebration.