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The WM Nunn Bursary is awarded to a first year UWA student and is in recognition of UWA student athlete Wally Marshall Nunn. Nunn won Full Blues awards in the sports of athletics, swimming, rugby and rowing. To this date no other individual has received four Full Blues in differing sports while representing the University of Western Australia. This year this bursary was awarded to Erica Wallace, our very own Karate Superstar. Find out what she’s up to!

Q: What are your competition plans for the rest of 2016

A: As well as competing in Regional and State title tournaments with my Karate Club, I plan to compete in the JKF Gojukai National Tournament over in Japan (28/08/2016). This event brings karate practitioners from all over the world to compete. I am very excited to be involved in what will be the biggest karate event of my career to date’

Q: The Sporting Achievement you are most proud of?

A: There are two achievements that have highlighted my journey within karate so far. In December 2013, at the age of 15, I achieved my second dan black belt in Go-Kan-Ryu Karate. Second Dan is a highly respected grade within my martial art. I am most proud of this achievement. Being at the age of 15, I was one of the youngest to students to achieve this milestone’

Another Achievement I am proud of is having placed second for Kata in the GKR Karate World Cup in the Junior Black Belt Open Division. This was held in Liverpool, England, 2015. At this same competition, I was a part of the Australian Junior Female Kumite (Sparring) team that receiving first place. This was only my second world cup competition, and my first time travelling out of Australia to compete. I was delighted to achieve my goals in such an important event’

Q:What is the major sporting goal for the next 5 years?

A: My major goal within the next few years is too grade a 3rd dan black belt. I will be eligible for this grade in December of this year and I will have spent a minimum of 3 years on my current grade.The International Olympic Committee have recently added Karate to the list of sports to included at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Making the Olympic team is the ultimate goal for me!

Q: How will the bursary aid you in achieving your long term sporting goals?

A:‘Financial rewards will help me a great deal in funding my trip to Japan later this year’