RED RANGERS’ Amelia ‘Pinky’ Paras and eight-year-old son Ricardo scored what may well be an Australian first at the Combined Classic Promotions’ 2006 State Sports Karate championships in Lidcombe NSW by winning gold trophies in their respective divisions recently.
By JAIME K PIMENTEL
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It was an open tournament, pitting martial artists from all styles including taekwondo, kung fu, shotokan, jiujutsu and the Filipino sikaran which the Red Rangers practise. Amelia took the trophy in her point-sparring section and Ricardo won the trophy in kata.
The weapons tournament included the Filipino stick-fighting art of arnis, in which little Ricardo, nicknamed ‘Chief’, had also won.
”Mother and son playing and winning in the same tournament ~ that’s unheard of,” remarked team trainer-coach Jesse Diestro.
Amelia, who was competing for the very first time at any level, stunned more experienced opponents to take the point-sparring final in spectacular style. In fact, because her women’s section had no entries, Amelia was pitted against the men.
Diestro said he had not expected such a display of technique and courage from her: ”Pinky was up against a male opponent much taller, heavier and more experienced in the final. And Pinky thrashed him.
“It was truly a most remarkable feat, especially after little Ric had earlier beaten a field of 40 competitors to win the kata championship and 25 competitors to take the weapons championship.”
