EXCITING times are abound for Pyalong’s Shaeedyn Gray, with the 14-year-old set to embark on a big journey to England to represent Australia in the Go-Kan-Ryu (GKR) Karate World Cup.
The three-day event will be held at the Telford International Centre in England’s central west from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26, and is set to attract over 1000 hopefuls looking for success in the championships.
Gray has been selected thanks to her extensive training at GKR Wallan, which has been a centre which has garnered world champions in the past, including 2024 GKR World Cup champion, and Wallan local Allanah Collett.
Gray credits Collett as someone she looks up to when she completes her training.
“We do a lot of state team training, as we have a lot of people going to worlds, such as Allanah who won it in 2024. I train alongside her and she helps me get better from when I started. I wasn’t that good but I’ve reached the top now. It gets harder, but if you push through it, it gets easier. Everyone there is really nice and it’s fun to be around people who train alongside me and know me from the inside out,” she said.
Gray, who has now been in karate for almost two years, says she has high hopes for the competition.
“I’m nervous, but it’s really fun, as I get to train alongside my friends and a bunch of the Senseis that know me. I’ve been doing competitions for a while. I’m nervous but I think I can do it,” she said.
“I’ve been doing competitions from a white belt to a green belt, and I hope to get my blue belt soon. When I found out I made it onto the team, I wasn’t sure how to express it, but I started going to more classes frequently, training harder, and I’ve got better than I used to be. It’s fun.”
Gray is hoping there is plenty of support for her at the World Cup.
“So many people supported it, my friends have told me they support me, I’m hoping they watch me because I’ll be there to watch their (competitions),” she said.
A GoFundMe has been organised by Cheryl Gray to help Shaeedyn get to the World Cup.
“Coming from a small town in Victoria, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her to represent Australia on the world stage. Through years of dedication, discipline, and hard work, she has earned her place in this prestigious competition, competing in Kata and Kumite across all ages and grades,” it reads.
“Karate has been a huge part of her life. It has taught her confidence, resilience, and respect — and she has poured her heart into training to reach this level. Being selected for the World Championships is a massive achievement, and we couldn’t be prouder.”
To donate to the fundraiser, click on gofundme.com/f/world-championships-gkr-karate
