Strong fighting forms

Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Martial Arts Club (GLMA) competed at the Australian Open of the ISKA Tournament Circuit in Liverpool last weekend.
With more than 1000 competitors, the club fought hard with several placements on the day. Delilah Slack Smith came second in the advanced blackbelts form and David Atherton Cooper came first in the intermediate forms. Jez Martin came fourth in the weapons.
GLMA founder Penny Gulliver said the club is fast making its mark not only in the international GLBT community but in mainstream martial arts tournaments as well.
“GLMA puts a large emphasis on tournament participation. The standard of the club is constantly rising and GLMA students have won a lot of respect and acknowledgement on the mainstream martial arts circuits from people watching them perform,” Gulliver said.
“This is part of GLMA martial arts preparation for competing in the martial arts event in the Gay Games Cologne 2010.
“The only way to prepare for the pressure of competition is to put yourself in the situation. It is often very nerve-racking to perform under pressure but this is the way most people improve their performance very rapidly, which also sharpens their capacity to defend themselves.”
This weekend GLMA will participate in the Australian Martial Arts Championships in Lidcombe.
GLMA will hold a six-week kickboxing course starting on Thursday, November 5, at Erskineville Town Hall. The course costs $60 and includes access to all GLMA classes during the week.

info: To book a place email [email protected] or call 0411 808 451. For more details, visit www.glmartialarts.com.au