Meet our youngest World Karate champions!

OLQP Karate Champions 1

At just eight years of age Eva Attard has been recognised as the first Australian to win a Grand Championship Karate title and trophy at the US Open competition.

Joined by her brother Zane Attard, 6, the sister and brother duo have been competing on the elite world stage for Karate for just over a year and already have won a string of world title.

The Our Lady Queen of Peace Primary Greystanes students train and compete at an elite level at Kenpo Freestyle Academy for one hour of formal karate training each week, and train an additional 2-3 hours a week at home.

In addition, both children compete in karate tournaments every 4-6 weeks, with Eva competing in tournaments for the past few years with Zane starting in 2017.

Competing at this elite level means Eva and Zane already possess and demonstrate many of the qualities expected of karate students: power, flexibility, patience, discipline, respect and balance.

OLQP Karate Champions 2

OLQP Karate Champions 3

Last year was a successful year for Eva, seeing her win a world title at the IKSA World Cup Karate tournament in October. The following month Eva then won two national titles at the IKSA Nationals, held in Liverpool NSW.

As a result of these significant achievements, Eva was invited to represent Australia at the IKSA US Open Karate Tournament from July 5-7 in Orlando Florida USA, along with her brother Zane.

Being the largest martial arts tournament in the world, the US Open is a prestigious event on the karate tournament circuit and was an extraordinary honour for both children to represent Australia.

Eva’s achievements on the world stage were phenomenal. Winning two world titles for creative and traditional kata, and a third place for clash and sparring. Eva also qualified for a run-off to display her creative kata at the Night of Victory.

Being a Grand Champion event for under 18 year olds, the Night of Victory is where the winners from each event - in Eva’s case, creative and extreme kata - compete against other winners in their category. Eva won the event, making her the first Australian to win a Grand Championship title and trophy at the US Open.

Zane, like Eva, has made his family and school community proud by winning three world titles at the IKSA World Cup Karate tournament in October last year, and went on to win three national titles at the Nationals in November.

Joining Eva at the IKSA US Open Karate Tournament, Zane competed in a tough competition of up to 40 boys in each of his events. Zane’s courage and fighting spirit shone through and he was awarded two second-place trophies for clash and point sparring, and two third-place trophies for his traditional kata and traditional weapons routines.

Proud mum, Alyssa Attard said no words can describe how proud the family is of Eva and Zane. “Both our kids have worked hard leading up to this competition. Not only is it an honour to represent their country, but to achieve these results against the best competitors in their divisions worldwide, is amazing.”

“While karate is obviously a significant passion for both children, Eva and Zane continue to complete their schoolwork, do homework and develop friendships like any other child their age.”

29 Apr 2025
From Facebook

09 Apr 2025
Photos from OLQP Primary Greystanes's post
This was a reflective and meaningful experience where the year 3 students walked through the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Garden of Gethsemane was a place of great importance to Jesus, referred to in all four Gospels as a place where Christ retreated into deep prayer and a time of agony before His arrest and crucifixion.