By RUSSELL BENNETT
HAILEE Hazeldene clearly isn’t familiar with the word ‘can’t’.
At the tender age of 10, and with just 18 months of karate under her belt, she has already won a national title at the Australian Martial Arts Championships (AMAC).
The Cranbourne youngster was invited to compete after winning a Victorian state title and won the 8-10 year old beginner/intermediate sparring freestyle at the nationals. All up, there were 16 competitors from across Australia and New Zealand at the Australian titles.
The top five place-getters in all events were invited to join the AMAC Australian squad, with two training camps coming up next year in New South Wales and Queensland, and tournaments on the horizon in Japan, New Zealand and the United States.
It’s a staggering rate of development for Hailee, not just because of her youth and inexperience, but because she also happens to be deaf.
When asked what spurred her on, not only to get involved with karate in the first place, but to strive for such high levels so early, her answer was simple.
“I always fight with my brothers and I thought I’d probably fight with them more so I decided to start karate.”
But in reality, her parents encouraged the sport as a means of self-defence.
And it’s clear now that no-one with even half an ounce of intelligence would mess with Hailee.
“There is bullying out there – especially for people with a bit of a difference,” mum Jane said.
“It’s basically self-defence, and she loves it because she gets to practice with her brothers too.”
Hailee is still in her infancy when it comes to competing in tournaments, but she’s already forged a stellar reputation on the big stage.
“She’s received something from nearly every tournament because that’s what she aims for,” Jane said.
“Whether it’s first place, second or third – she just keeps trying and doesn’t let the belt or the size of her opponent worry her.
“Yes, it gets her a little bit nervous but she just tries.”
In some of Hailee’s tournaments she’s had to wear a helmet – which means no hearing aids. Everything about those fights then becomes visual.
“I can’t even hear mum cheering,” Hailee said.
“But she does yell all the time.”
Hailee has also competed at state level in athletics, and played basketball through school. She currently does acrobatics to keep her flexibility going – it helps with those head kicks.
All up, out of four events she competed in at AMAC, Hailee was invited three times to join the national squad.
Hailee trains at Casey Elite Martial Arts in Cranbourne. Anyone interested in giving her a helping hand to compete internationally next year can contact News Sport at sport@starnewsgroup.com.au.
