Angela Uytingco, 24-year-old Go Kan Ryu karate dynamo, captured back-to-back Champion of Champions titles at the NAS National Championships in December. With a display of tactical brilliance over club mate Claudine Chicheportiche, the 2nd Dan Sydneysider again proved that she is a sport-karate force to be reckoned with.

Here are a couple of excerpts from the fabulous interview with the winners written by Ben Stone that you can read in the current issue of Blitz Magazine.

Blitz: What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome to become Champion of Champions?
Craig: Myself. Taking the doubt out of your mind, knowing and believing in yourself that you can do it. Once you plant that seed of doubt you’ll come unstuck.
Angela: Definitely self-doubt. I didn’t think I wanted the title nor deserved it more than Claudine did. She has worked so much harder than I did all year. Being able to know and understand what you really want; otherwise you can’t do anything about it.

Blitz: What advice do you have for up-and-coming NAS players hoping to one day become champion of Champions?
Craig: Never get frustrated, never give in. You could ask anybody that has won a national or state title and you will usually find it has taken a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to that position, so with that in mind, never give up. Always have set goals; without set goals you are not striving for what you want from your training.
Angela: Train hard, spar different people and watch a lot of sparring to see what works and what doesn’t work. Most importantly, enjoy the journey.

Blitz: Do you follow a specific diet?
Craig: No, but I do eat a well balanced diet. One thing that’s great is that I rarely fall ill. I like to think it is because I eat lots of fruit and veg’, also I drink freshly juiced fruits daily.
Angela: I try to eat less sugary food but more fruits. At one stage I was watching my fat intake and decided to cut down on junk or takeaway food. I bring my lunch to work now; I prepare the food at home so I know what I’m eating. I sometimes succumb to temptation, but only in moderation.

Blitz: How did you come up with this training and/or eating formula?
Craig: I have an incredibly high metabolism so I need to eat frequently. From early childhood I’ve always eaten a healthy, well balanced diet but I still love to have a beer and pizza every now and then!
Angela: It’s not a formula, I just try to understand what my body needs.

Blitz: How do you find karate and/or your involvement in NAS help you in other areas of your life or work?
Craig; The ability to focus on any given task, be it at work or school, I think is a product of the hours one puts into perfecting their technique in the dojo. After a hard day’s work it is a good release to go to the dojo and just sweat it all out.
Angela: I find Karate and NAS competition helps build my confidence. I am no longer afraid to make mistakes, because through mistakes can I learn and develop.