MEDOWIE’S Carina Evangelo has returned to the International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) Karate Tournament, earning a silver medal while proudly representing Pollets Martial Arts Medowie.
Competing in the women’s 35-and-over point sparring division, Carina fought her way to second place in a busy tournament featuring a range of martial arts disciplines.
“The competition had four different squared areas for different events to run at the same time,” Carina said.
“It was interesting watching others spar and fight, board break and sword fight.”
For Carina, the silver medal represents more than a podium finish.
She hopes her involvement in competitive karate can encourage other women to remain active and challenge themselves as they get older.
“I am very proud to be a woman representing Pollets Martial Arts and to be 35,” she said.
“As we get older we slow down, [so] it’s encouraging to keep fit doing something I enjoy.
“Karate makes exercising fun.”
Preparing for the tournament meant squeezing additional training around work and family commitments, including travelling to Pollets’ Adamstown classes when her schedule allowed.
Carina said members of the wider Pollets community, including black belts and Sensei Layton, had supported her preparation.
Her martial arts journey began for a vastly different reason at the end of 2024, when her daughter was experiencing bullying at school.
Mother and daughter decided to join Pollets Martial Arts Medowie together to learn self-defence.
Since then, Carina has discovered both a sport she enjoys and a supportive local community.
“I enjoy practical skills to prepare for life’s challenges,” she said.
“I am learning to defend myself and being tested through gradings to advance my techniques as I am promoted.”
Just as importantly, karate has provided an opportunity to form connections close to home.
“I like being connected to other members of the Medowie community, young and young at heart, through the Pollets club.”
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