Yoseikan-Ryu Celebrates Success at the New Zealand Open
Yoseikan-Ryu Karate is proud to congratulate our athletes on their outstanding performances at the New Zealand Open Karate Championships, held at the Auckland Netball Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, on 31 May and 1 June 2026. The event brought together athletes from across New Zealand, Australia, and the wider Oceania region, creating a highly competitive international environment.
Competing against strong opposition, our team demonstrated skill, determination, and the true spirit of karate, returning home with an impressive collection of medals.
Gold Medal for Mitchell Durham
A special congratulations goes to Mitchell Durham, who delivered an exceptional performance in the Men's +75kg Kumite division to claim the Gold Medal.
Mitchell continued he’s success from the Oceania Team event in which Australia took home the gold the day before. He will now represent Australia later the year at the World Cup Team championships being held in Hangzhou, China in November 20-22.
Silver Medal and Coaching Success for Jayda Gledhill
Congratulations to Jayda Gledhill on securing the Silver Medal in the Women's -61kg division.
Jayda produced a series of strong performances throughout the tournament, demonstrating skill, determination, and competitive spirit. Reaching the final of a prestigious international event is a significant accomplishment and reflects the countless hours of preparation and training behind the scenes.
Adding to her own success, Jayda also stepped into a coaching role at this level for the first time, cornering teammate Claire Bertagnolio throughout her matches. Balancing the demands of competing and coaching is no easy task, making Jayda's contribution to the team particularly noteworthy.
Bronze Medal for Claire Bertagnolio
Congratulations also to Claire Bertagnolio, who earned a Bronze Medal in the Girls Under 14 +55kg division.
Claire displayed tremendous determination and resilience throughout the tournament, competing with confidence and representing Yoseikan-Ryu with pride. Securing a podium finish at an international event is a fantastic achievement and highlights the progress she continues to make as a young athlete.
Competing against strong opposition, Claire demonstrated courage, composure, and a willingness to test herself at a high level. Her bronze medal is a well-deserved reward for her hard work and dedication to training.
Representing Yoseikan-Ryu with Pride
The New Zealand Open provided competitors with the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best karate athletes from across New Zealand and overseas. Mitchell, Jayda, and Claire all rose to the challenge, showcasing not only their competitive abilities but also the sportsmanship, leadership, and respect that are central to our dojo values.
Their success reflects the hard work of the athletes, coaches, training partners, and families who support them throughout the year.
Everyone at Yoseikan-Ryu is incredibly proud of these achievements and the way our competitors represented the club on the international stage.
Congratulations to Mitchell, Jayda, and Claire on their medal-winning performances. We look forward to seeing them continue their success throughout the remainder of the competition season.