Pakenham resident Joe Byrne competed in the sixth world junior and cadet karate championships in Morocco.By Gavin Staindl
PAKENHAM resident Joe Byrne believes the sky is the limit after participating in the sixth world junior and cadet karate championships in Morocco.
The 16-year old Byrne, who competed against 80 other youths in the 16 to 17-year-old under 55kg division was originally selected to compete in the event after claiming gold in the Oceania championships late last year.
While Byrne takes a well-earned break in Queensland, his mother Rachel described the selection process that was required to make the Australian side as gruelling.
“(The selection process) is vigorous. He had to compete at state level, then at national level then another big elimination (Oceania championships) where he was picked to go to Morocco … It takes a year worth of competitions,” Ms Byrne said.
Travelling to Morocco was only the second time the St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School student had travelled outside Oceania to compete but according to Byrne “it was absolutely eye opening”.
As only the results for the top seven are released, Byrne was not able to find where he finished but his mother said he was pleased with how he performed.
“He did extremely well,” she said.
Joe Byrne originally moved from England at the age of six and followed in the footsteps of his uncle who was also a black belt in karate.
Byrne now has his eyes firmly set on representing Australia further in the future including fighting at the Youth Cup in Greece next year.
