FOUR representatives from Hamilton Karate WSKF (World Shotokan Karate-do Federation) had the experience of a lifetime when they travelled to Tokyo last month for a week of focussed training under world-renowned senseis.

Steph Praolini, Marianna Novicov, Beth Granziera and Matthew Pickett enjoyed the weekly seminar which runs every two years and gained plenty of valuable knowledge, with Praolini receiving her 3rd Dan Black Belt.

Praolini and Novicov also had the opportunity to represent Australia at the WSKF World Championship later in the trip.

Sensei Praolini was very grateful for the experience which was capped up off by receiving her new grading from the head sensei.

She said there was a lot of pressure in going for her next belt, as an unsuccessful attempt prevents further attempts for more than a year.

“It was a very nervous wait, I was graded on (the) Wednesday and didn’t find out if I passed until Saturday,” Praolini told The Spectator.

“It was pretty amazing because there’s a lot of time commitments to be able to go for these higher belts, and to be passed on it when others didn’t (was special).

“I’ve been going to Melbourne and Noosa for a long time trying to train …so it was a very emotional week to be honest.”

Praolini said while achievement was the highlight of the trip, she also had the opportunity to compete in the world championships.

“We did a three-day seminar with the head of WSKF, sensei Hitoshi Kasuya 9th Dan, training five hours a day, next we did the grading and then finished off with the tournament,” she said.

She placed fourth in the tournament falling short against Germany, while Novicov also competed, but was defeated against the eventual winner of the championships.

The 26-year-old said this world-level seminar had opened up a plethora of new options to travel to different countries and train, working around her job as a nurse.

“I’ve been invited to be South Africa and New Zealand and some other places, Nigeria and Kazakhstan, Bulgaria and Romania to train,” Praolini said.

Praolini has been doing Karate for 18 years and has taken over a lot of the responsibilities as instructor at the Hamilton club.

“I started teaching at the club back when I was 16, next year we are offering four days a week and seven classes,” she said.

“Now I’m running about 90 percent of the classes … we’re going online and progressing; we have an app.”

Hamilton Karate founder, John McIntosh said while he would’ve loved to go on the trip, he enjoyed following the group closely.

“(It was a) once in a lifetime experience, I’m very proud of them, a credit to Steph, she’s always worked hard and worked while she’s studied,” he said.

“They (the group) are looked upon with respect wherever they go which is the best part.”

While McIntosh is a 4th Dan Black Belt, he conceded that Praolini had surpassed him in ability in what was a proud moment for the long-time instructor.

“One thing that every fair dinkum instructor should be pleased about is when his own students become better than him and Steph is better (than me),” he said.