The seven-year-old loves playing with toys and colouring in, but she is also making a name for herself as a karate kid.

“I train three times a week and learn about punching, kicking and blocking,” she said.

Hana is under the guidance of her father Sawal Salleh, who runs the Shinwa-Kai Karate Club in Wagga.

The club cleaned up in the Tournament of Champions in Sydney, coming home with five samurai sword prizes.

Hana was the star of the show as she took on bigger competitors up to the age of nine.

The year 2 pupil at Henschke Primary progressed through three rounds of the girls’ kata senior belt category to be crowned champion. In the second round Hana came up against clubmate Jasmin Plane, who ended up in fourth position.

Shinwa-Kai member Angela Becroft turned in an exceptional performance to finish second – beaten by just one point – in the female sparring event.

Other club members to achieve placings in senior belt categories were Margaret Plane (adult female kata), Hayley Stimpson (girls kata 12 and 13 years) and Thomas Garvie (boys 10 and 11 years).

Although she works hard, Hana views karate as “just some fun”.

“I like making new friends and my dad is a good teacher,” she said.

Sawal Salleh, who moved with his family from Singapore to Wagga two years ago, has more than 100 members ranging from five years old to their 50s in his club.

“Karate provides fitness, discipline and confidence,” he said. “And there’s also the social side, meeting different people.”

For further information on the Shinwa-Kai club call 0458 257 745 or visit www.karatewagga.com.