Sport
Karate kids headed for the top
Simon McEvoy
05May08
PATTERSON Lakes' Shaun Donnet and Seaford's Dean Hollowood weren't far out of nappies when they first toddled into Bruce Hyland's karate dojo about 10 years ago.
Dean, 13, was a member of Hyland's first-ever karate kindergarten class.
Hyland must have taught the pair well because last week they hit the big time selection in the Australian team to compete at the 2008 Oceania Karate Championships in New Zealand later this year.
"It's fantastic news," a thrilled Hyland said. "They've always had talent. They've won medals in Hawaii and in New Zealand ... but this has topped it off."
Both boys have developed into top-shelf competitors.
Shaun, 15, is technically excellent, while Dean is one of those fighters who will grit it out and win at any cost.
They sparkled at the Australian Karate Open on the Sunshine Coast last month. Shaun won his cadet male kumite (sparring) division, and Dean placed third in his 13-year-old division, but had five fights-offs, which he won convincingly. Ishinryu also had another Gold medal winner in Paul Holtzinger.
With these attributes, the boys are headed for the top.
* Shaun and Dean are this week's Leader Junior Sports Stars.
