PALACE Martial Arts continues to punch above its weight, with four members returning from the Australian Taekwondo National Championships in Perth with medals last weekend.

Will Sweeney and Taylor Crane competed in the red belt pairs 12-14 years, while Aisha Hendriks and Steph Farquharson competed in the women’s power breaking.

Farquharson topped the ranks to claim the gold medal, while Hendriks collected bronze, with Sweeney and Crane also collecting bronze in a strong first outing for the dojang.

“We have never been to nationals until this year, we just wanted to put our best performance on the mats,” Farquharson said.

“I think the environment of the competition wasn’t too dissimilar to what we are used to at state level.

“So that had everyone feeling a bit more comfortable, but it was definitely a bit bigger than what we are used to.”

All four competed on the Friday, with plenty of work going in to prepare the team in the lead-up.

“Particularly with the forms, there is a lot of technical work that goes into it, Will and Taylor have come a really long way from their qualification to their nationals,” Farquharson said.

“You were required to medal in the selection events, the power breaking was probably a little different because there wasn’t as many people doing it, but because we had done it earlier in the year, we were able to qualify that way.

“Hopefully we can get more and more going each year.”

Those four weren’t the only locals to return with excess in their baggage, after Muhktar Kadiri was named referee of the year.

The driving force behind Palace Martial Arts was over in Perth and knew he was nominated but wasn’t expecting to receive the award.

“I think it feels good to see you have been recognised, but we do it for our members and athletes, so they all get a fair go,” he said.

“There is no competition if judges and referees aren’t involved.”

Holding roles at local, state and national level has seen Kadiri acknowledged, with the award judged over all competitions.

“Currently I am a presenter, so I oversee the national referees and also here in Victoria,” he said.

“So it is combined for competitions here in Victoria, national and of course international.

“I would have done close to eight competitions this year, I just recently went to the University Games in China, and so that also counted for me.

“If a judge goes international and comes back with information, then it helps.

“I would say this is one of the most prestigious awards I have got.”

Kadiri started refereeing back in 2004 and enjoys giving back to the sport that has opened many opportunities for the local.

“I just like giving back to the sport, and being the referee means you get more information, so I can pass that onto the athletes here as well.

“It is important to have the skills, but the best athletes also follow the rules of the competition.

“Being a small town, I think we have a lot of potential here, however it is really difficult to have lots of instructors here.”