On the 29 & 30^th of November the International Karate Organisation Kyokushinkiakan Matsushima, ran it’s 4 yearly Women’s Weight Category Open World Tournament in Isesaki City in Japan. With fighters representing 35 different countries under Kyokushin Karate’s full contact knockdown rules, this tournament is hotly contested. With national pride on the line and the chance to compete on a world stage all fighters compete with great spirit and determination.

Traralgon Kyokushin Karate Dojo’s senior student Avril Gill qualified to represent Australia after successfully winning the Victorian and coming second in the Australian Championships earlier in the year. Avril completed an intensive preparation before travelling to Japan for the World Tournament. Attending sparing training camps and fighting senior male students over 10 X 3 minute rounds, 3 times a week made for a tough preparation which paid dividends for Avril in the end “My preparation was hard work, training through and managing the bruises and injuries that come with full contact Karate is difficult, especially when you are required to maintain that level of intensity over a number of months” said Avril.

Avril competed in the Female Open Middle Weight Division, where she fought in the preliminary rounds on the Saturday. Avril had a bye in the first round and then managed to win her remaining preliminary rounds, which included a knockout in 57 seconds against a South African girl using strong leg kicks. This qualified her for the finals on the second day. On Sunday, Avril fought an Iranian girl in the Semi-Final which ended-up being one of the hardest fought fights in the tournament. The fight went two extensions before the referees gave Avril the win on points.

 “We both gave it our all, it was a very tough fight for both of us which went to 2 extensions.  I ended up winning.....Woohoo! I don't remember much of the fight, so I can't wait for the DVD to be released” reflected Avril. Now that Avril had made the final she was to fight Shannyn Johnstone-Ward from Ballarat in a rematch of the Australian Championships final from earlier in the year. The fight was hard fought with Avril holding her own in the first half of the fight. With Shannyn coming home stronger she got the points win over Avril in the final.

At the closing ceremony a Senior International Referee commented, “She (Avril) represented what the tournament was all about. She got in there and had a red hot go and just wanted to fight. Her placing was truly well deserved".

“This was an outstanding effort by Avril to withstand the pressure of this prestigious international full contact Karate tournament. Fighters wear no padding or gloves and knockouts are common. The physical and mental strength required to succeed is immense,” said local Kyokushin Instructor David Nabulsi. 

On Avrils return she was further rewarded for her efforts in 2008 by being nominated and winning the Gippstar Award for January 2009.