BENDIGO’S Cooper Laurie is set to put his karate skills to the test on the world stage in August.
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Cooper has qualified for the upcoming ninth Go-Kan-Ryu World Cup event to be held on the Gold Coast from August 4 to 6.
The 12-year-old has been quick to make his mark in karate, having only taken up the martial art two years ago, but already earning a national ranking of five in his previous age group of 10-11 years.
Cooper qualified for the World Cup – the biggest event on the GKR calendar – by winning two gold medals this year at regional level.
He will compete in the 12-13 age group, with the tournament to include both kata (sequence of moves) and kumite (competing against an opponent).
Cooper – who is a blue belt – trains at GKR Eaglehawk and GKR Epsom, completing as many as five sessions per week.
He has progressed through white, yellow, orange and green belts and has his sights set on reaching a goal of 3rd Dan.
“I love doing all the moves… it’s awesome fun,” Cooper said on Thursday.
“I’d really like to go all the way to the highest belt I can, which is 3rd Dan.”
GKR karate promotes strength of mind and body, humility and bravery.
The GKR World Cup event is part of what shapes as a hectic period for Cooper, who also has state titles in September and national titles in November on the horizon.
Cooper is in Grade 5 at White Hills Primary School.