1 July 2002
Over a thousand expected at Seido Karate Benefit Tournament
More than a thousand local and international visitors are expected to attend the Wellington Seido Karate Benefit
Tournament in September this year.
The 2002 International Benefit Tournament will raise funds to support the Wellington Women’s Refuge and Te Whare
Rokiroki, the Mâori Women’s Refuge. It’s being held on the 7th and 8th of September at the Hataitai Badminton Club,
Ruahine Street, Wellington.
Club Captain Bronwyn Dalley said the last tournament of this type in Wellington attracted hundreds of people – this year
even more are expected.
“We are expecting competitors and supporters from Seido clubs in the UK, the USA, South Africa, Australia and Japan,”
Bronwyn Dalley said.
“Local teams from Dunedin, Timaru, Christchurch, Nelson, Palmerston North, Te Awamutu, Auckland, and of course
Wellington will also be participating.
“One of the reasons this year’s tournament is expected to be even more popular is the fact that the founder of Seido
Karate – Tadashi Nakamura – is attending.
“Mr Nakamura set up Seido Karate in New York in 1976. There are now more than 40 thousand Seido students in 16 countries
with nearly 100 branches worldwide. There are 18 schools in New Zealand alone with around two thousand students – this
makes it one of the largest styles of martial arts in this country.
“In the Capital we have around 200 members, of these 40% are women and around 30 of our members are children,” she said.
“This year’s Seido Karate Benefit Tournament promises to be an exciting event for the Wellington region. And it will
raise money for two hardworking local groups - the Wellington Women’s Refuge and Te Whare Rokiroki, the Mâori Women’s
Refuge.
“We are hoping many Wellingtonians will take this opportunity to attend the tournament and support these causes,”
Bronwyn Dalley said.
For further information contact: Bronwyn Dalley - ph 04 973 1707 or email: bronwyn.dalley@paradise.net.nz.
Or visit the tournament website at www.seidokaratewellington.co.nz, or the Wellington Seido Karate dojo at 223 Thorndon
Quay.