You won’t find sports fans settling in on a warm summer afternoon with a beer watching Kyokushin Karate on free-to-air television.
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In fact, it’s likely only avid fans of the sport will know the finer details of the centuries-old tradition continuing to make waves in Griffith.
Kyokushin Karate’s impact in the region doesn’t receive the accolades or exposure it deserves, especially considering the volume of home-grown competitors making it to the world stage compared to its more mainstream sporting counterparts.
Domestic and international meets are the normality for Griffith-based Sensei Frank Cirillo, and he takes huge pleasure in seeing his students excel and enjoy travelling to compete.
The Fourth Dan instructor says he’s relying on a comedy show fundraiser to help tackle the greatest challenge his Griffith students face with maintaining their extraordinarily rich pool of ability.
Cirillo says the tyranny of travel expenses separates Kyokushin Karate from many others.
He says finding ways to afford to compete can be the difference between improving and giving the sport away.
“We have students who are competing all over the world,” Cirillo said.
“Spain, Japan, the United States. And in the Australian major cities too.
“Kids from Griffith, Narrandera, Hillston, Lake Cargelligo – they’ve all earned the opportunity to compete in these places. But it’s expensive. And not all of them can afford it unfortunately.”
Girillo says while not all his students make it to international level, the life-changing experiences some of the more rural-based and younger enthusiasts gain from interstate travel gives him a great sense of satisfaction.
“I’ve travelled with competitors to places like Sydney, where some of the kids have never seen the Opera House,” Dojo Cirillo said.
“Some of these kids haven’t even seen the ocean before.
“And for a lot of the kids on the land, the trip is against the odds. It’s something they’ll remember forever.”
Cirillo is teaming up with the Ex-Servicemen’s Club on December to to present what they say is a unique fundraising experience to help budding local talent take on the world’s best.
A stand up and comedy show featuring Australian comedy gurus Daniel Townes, Luke Heggie and Becky Lucus will be supported with a two-course dinner and musical entertainment, with all proceeds going towards funding travelling Griffith Kyokushin Karate competitors.
Head to the Exies website for more details.