Narromine's Tasma wins gold medal

The 15-year-old competed in the IKA All Stars Tour in California and walked away with a gold medal.

Tasma is a black belt in her form of karate called Te-Ashiki-Shin and was invited to the prestigious event.

It wasn't all training and competing for Tasma as she was able to sightsee around California as well.

"We went to Disneyland on day one. It really is the happiest place on the earth. The next day we went to Universal Studios," she said.

"We had a rest day after that and went shopping in the mall. It is humongous. Orana Mall is tiny compared to it."

Another trip highlight for the karate champion was meeting the Grand Master of Te-Ashiki-Shin.

"On the Saturday before the tournament we went to seminars with the Grand Master and learned the way he teaches," she said.

"We went to dinner for his birthday and we met James Caan from (television show) Las Vegas," she said.

"He's a stunt double and has done (Te-Ashiki-Shin) for years."

Despite all the excitment in her trip, Tasma buckled down for the biggest tournament she'd competed in.

She competed in four events, including two open divisions.

"It was really good, there were 100 or 200 competitors and all the audience," she said.

Tasma took out a gold in her favourite section, weapons in the open division.

"I use SI which are like little forks," she said.

Tasma also competed in the specialised kata, which she describes as a pattern, for the style of karate that she trains in.

There were around 22 people in her division and Tasma came fifth.

Tasma has no major tournaments for the rest of the year but plans on keeping up with her training.

She hopes to be a part of the team that her instructor takes to New Zealand next year.

"I've already been though so it's probably someone else's turn," she said.

Tasma and her mother Jo would like to thank everyone in the community for their support.

"Thanks to everyone who supported us and donated money," she said.