Rush won his elimination round to compete against representatives from around Australia in the final of the Masters Individual kata.

He was first to compete in the final and led the field which comprised a number of black belts of a much higher dan grade than himself.

Rush looked certain to take his fifth national title until the last competitor and fellow team mate from Sydney, Sensei Paul Fenech (fifth Dan), performed and took the gold with a score difference of only 0.2.

Rusg also fought well making the final and winning bronze in the Masters Individual Kumite (fighting) behind Kevin Brady, fourth Dan from Sydney and Tony Ambrose, seventh Dan from Queensland.

It has been over four years since Rush was last put through a dan grade examination and this year proved to be much tougher than previous years under the new leadership of the Shotokan Karate International Federation, Kancho Nobuaki Kanazawa and Chief Instructor of SKIF, Shihan Manabu Murakami.

Rush, at the end of the arduous week-long training seminar, fronted the Japanese examiners and conducted himself with poise and technical ability in his grading examination and was awarded Yondan (fourth dan black belt) – the only one in his group of four to do so.

Rush said he enjoyed the training seminar more each day as his body and feet got used to the challenging conditions.

“I am pleased with my tournament and grading results and by the end of the week I really felt like I wanted to keep going with that level of training”, he said.

“It was also great to catch up socially with fellow karate ka from around Australia.

Sensei Rush teaches classes for children, teens and adults in Nowra and North Nowra. New members are always welcome and phone 4421 5542 or go to www.shotokankarate.com.au for more information.