Lara families getting their kicks with karate success

Andrew Mathieson
FAMILIES that fight together, stick together.
Or so they say out Lara way where four fist-throwing kids are shadowing their tough parents in karate’s best moves.
A recent Victorian Kyokushin Karate Championships proved a celebration for Lara’s Riki Martial Arts school.
Nicholas Crawley, whose father Kevin is a karate veteran and kickboxer, was crowned the state under-8s king.
Calaih McPhail-Jans came close to emulating former national and state champion mum Lauren with a silver in the under-10 female division.
Riki school instructor Nino Di Pasquale’s two children, Tahlia and Jacob, captured third in the under-10 and 12 divisions respectively.
Nino was unsurprised the Lara kids were a karate chop off the old block.
“I think that’s because I’m a good teacher,” he laughed.
“I also think it’s because there’s a real community feel to how we train.
“With most of the kids here, their parents train as well with us and I think that enables confidence in their children.
“It’s a real family club.”