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Karratha fighters collect medals at national champs

Shannon BeattiePilbara News
Renegade Karratha athletes Te Ana Goeree and Camerin Coles took home seven medals from the Australian Jiu Jitsu Championships.
Camera IconRenegade Karratha athletes Te Ana Goeree and Camerin Coles took home seven medals from the Australian Jiu Jitsu Championships. Credit: Picture: Renegade Karratha

Karratha’s most elite fighters took on the nation’s best last month and returned victorious, bringing home seven medals and the chance to compete at an international level this year.

Camerin Coles and Te Ana Goeree competed at the Australian Jiu Jitsu Championships in Melbourne on August 10 and 11.

Both athletes train Karratha’s only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu club, Renegade Karratha, and competed in four divisions, including Gi and No Gi in both their own weight class and an open division.

Coles, who is Renegade’s co-owner and head coach, said as far as the Australian jiujitsu circuit is concerned, the championships are the highest level people can compete in.

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“We’re pretty isolated here in Karratha,” he said.

“So competitions like these are a great grooming ground for us test ourselves against the biggest clubs around Australia,” he said.

Renegade proved a powerhouse at the competition, with Coles winning two bronze and two silver medals and Goeree taking home two gold and one silver, despite competing against athletes from the biggest gyms around the country.

Coles said it was particularity impressive for Goeree to walk away with two first-place finishes.

“You’re competing against the best people within your weight and age group in the country,” he said.

“It was a massive achievement for her to go over there, try her hand with some of Australia’s best and do so well.”

Whilst jiujitsu is a solo sport, Coles said their success wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the entire Renegade team.

“When you go out on the mat you’re there by yourself, but the only way you get to that level of competition is with a strong team behind you,” he said.

Both fighters will return to Melbourne in October for the Pan Pacific Championships.

Coles will head to Vegas next year for the world championships.

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