Samantha Palmer
2009 Champion
The 2009 National All-Styles Australian Championships came to a thrilling conclusion in Melbourne on 28–29 November, with Luke Croxford walking away with the men’s Champion of Champions belt, and Samantha Palmer amazingly picking up a record-breaking third straight Champion of Champions win. We talked to these karate champions to find out more about their winning ways.
Luke Croxford
2009 Champion
The 2009 National All-Styles Australian Championships came to a thrilling conclusion in Melbourne on 28–29 November, with Luke Croxford walking away with the men’s Champion of Champions belt, and Samantha Palmer amazingly picking up a record-breaking third straight Champion of Champions win. We talked to these karate champions to find out more about their winning ways.
Samantha Palmer
2008 Champion
In an incredible display of technique and endurance over two of the hottest days on record, karatekas Lachlan Carr and Samantha Palmer took the Champion of Champions titles at the 27th Annual National All Styles Australian Championship for the second year running. Here, Lachlan and Samantha give us an insight into their training regimens and martial arts journeys — and just what it takes to win back-to-back titles at Australia’s premier all-styles martial arts event.
Lachlan Carr
2008 Champion
In an incredible display of technique and endurance over two of the hottest days on record, karatekas Lachlan Carr and Samantha Palmer took the Champion of Champions titles at the 27th Annual National All Styles Australian Championship for the second year running. Here, Lachlan and Samantha give us an insight into their training regimens and martial arts journeys — and just what it takes to win back-to-back titles at Australia’s premier all-styles martial arts event.
Samantha Palmer
2007 Champion
Samantha Palmer may sound like a new name, but her maiden name of Goulter will be recognised from NAS tournaments over the past six years. She is now recorded as being the first Victorian GKR karateka to win the NAS Champion of Champions title.
Lachlan Carr
2007 Champion
Lachlan is 19 years old and has been training in GKR karate since he was 10. It was at this young age that he first set his sights on winning at the NAS Nationals, and with his mind so focused on the prize, it seems it was only a matter of time.
Samantha Short
2006 Champion
Samantha entered the 2006 NAS Championships only days before the tournament. She had been suffering from a strained hamstring and had been undecided about her fitness. A greater obstacle, however, and something that would make her victory all the more meaningful, was the recent passing of her sensei, Alan Murdoch, of Shukokai Karate.
Luke Croxford
2006 Champion
Luke is a martial arts all-rounder, having trained in six styles since he first stepped into an aikido dojo at age seven. In the 21 years since, he has achieved his 2nd Dan in karate whilst also practising kung-fu, hapkido, taekwondo and his own martial art style, Ryu-Ki-Do.
Karen Stone
2005 Champion
By the time Karen Stone found herself in the Champion of Champions round, she knew she could walk away with the title — she’d already beaten her opponent earlier in the day. “It’s something I’ve been working toward for a while,” says Karen.
Ben Cunningham
2005 Champion
Nidan Ben Cunningham’s NAS Titles are not simply testimony to the hard hours of training, they are the fruit of a fervent self-belief and dogged determination. This is Ben's second title he’s won in as many years.
