Kalofonos Family, Australia
In ‘GKR Stories’ this week, we hear from the Kalofonos family who started karate as a family activity and to help their daughter who has cerebral palsy. Mum, Linda, speaks of the benefits the whole family enjoys.
Our family started Karate in April 2022, myself (Linda), my husband Nick and our two children Alexis and Tyler.
We are an extremely busy family and wanted to do an activity together where we could have fun and get fit. We also wanted to work on balance and strength for our daughter Alexis, who has Cerebral Palsy and is completely tight on her right side.
We chose GKR Karate as it is a place where all ages, abilities and fitness levels are welcome, and we can all train together in the family classes.
The more classes we did, the more we fell in love with the art, and even decided to start competing in tournaments.
The difference that karate has made for all of us has been amazing. We are proud of both children and how much they have achieved since starting karate.
Tyler has learnt so much, and it’s not just the physical side; it’s been great for his focus and concentration – even just being able to sit for longer periods of time.
His skill, motivation and focus are beyond inspiring. He has placed first or second at almost every tournament he has entered and is not slowing down. He held the State Title for two years consecutively for 6/7-year-old 6th-4th Kyu division and competed in the 2024 World Cup.
Alexis has come such a long way since she started karate too. Physically, her strength and coordination have improved, she is now able to balance on her right-side to kick and has competed in multiple tournaments.
It is hard for Alexis when she is the only competitor with a physical disability, however, she doesn’t back down and has never let her disability stop her from competing against both boys and girls that are much bigger and higher belts than her. Her effort and determination are nothing short of phenomenal. She has won multiple 2nd place medals; however, nothing was more amazing than when Alexis won gold and became the 2023 State Champion in the 8/9 year old 6th-4th Kyu division and she also competed in the 2024 World Cup.
Karate is so important to us for many different reasons. We are loving our GKR Karate journey and are grateful to the wonderful instructors and students for making GKR feel like our family.
Watch the Kalofonos family tell their story in the video below…
We want to hear your story
We’re inviting members to reach out to us and share how joining GKR Karate has been instrumental in crafting their personal tales of inspiration, transformation, or courage.
If you wish to share your story or that of a friend or family member, please click here.
