Karate Academy Sydney Participates in Zero Hero – Belts for Breast Cancer Awareness

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KAS pink belts

This October, Karate Academy Sydney is honoured to join the Zero Hero – Belts for Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. In a powerful display of solidarity, our black belts will proudly wear pink belts throughout the month, raising awareness and vital funds for breast cancer research and support.

Why Pink Belts?

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide, and this cause hits close to home for many of our members, their families, and friends. By swapping our traditional black belts for pink ones, we’re doing more than just making a bold statement on the mat. We’re standing with the millions of people who have been touched by breast cancer, showing our support for those battling the disease, and honoring survivors. Together, we aim to spread awareness and raise money to help find a cure.

The Zero Hero Initiative

Zero Hero is an inspiring movement dedicated to “zeroing out” the impact of breast cancer by increasing awareness, driving research, and providing resources for those affected. Through events like Belts for Breast Cancer, martial arts schools around the world are stepping up, using their platform to amplify this important message. This year, Karate Academy Sydney is proud to participate, and we invite you to join us in making a difference!

How You Can Support

Throughout October you can:

Donate – Whether you’re a student, family member, or community supporter, you can contribute directly to our fundraising efforts. Every dollar counts in the fight against breast cancer!  https://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/fundraisers/jessicavetrisano

Spread the Word – Help us raise awareness by sharing our campaign on social media. The more people we reach, the bigger impact we can make.

Wear Pink – Even if you’re not a black belt, you can still show your support by sporting pink gear during your training sessions or out in the community. Let’s unite in pink and make a statement that cannot be ignored!

Why Breast Cancer Awareness Matters

Breast cancer is a serious health issue that affects 1 in 8 women over their lifetime. While it predominantly affects women, men can also be diagnosed with the disease. Each year, around 55,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia, and unfortunately, it claims the lives of over 3,000 Australians annually.

However, early detection and advancements in research are helping save lives. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer has increased to 91%. But there’s still much more work to be done to find a cure and ensure access to treatment and support for everyone affected.

Join Us in the Fight

We’re calling on our Karate Academy Sydney community to rally together and help us make this campaign a success. Whether you’re training in pink, donating to the cause, or simply spreading the word, every action counts in the fight against breast cancer.

Let’s unite, fight, and kick breast cancer out of the ring!

source- https://nbcf.org.au/

accomplishments

Chris Vetrisano

Sensei- Instructor 

  • 3rd Dan Black Belt Goju Ryu Seiwakai
  • 3rd Dan Black Belt JKF Goju Kai (All Japan Karate Federation)
  • 3rd Dan Black Belt Ryukyu Shimbukan Kobudo
  • Senior First Aid
  • WWCC

At the young age of 6, Chris embarked on his karate journey in 2007 under the expert tutelage of Pat Drago Shihan, specialising in Goju-Ryu. He honed his skills early on, participating in numerous Koshiki tournaments across locations such as Barrel and Picton.

In 2013, Chris embraced new challenges by joining Seiwakai under Glenn Stephenson Shihan, advancing through inter-club tournaments and gaining valuable competitive experience. His progression through the Dan ranks was guided by Jessica Vetrisano Sensei, whose mentorship has been pivotal in shaping him into the accomplished karateka he is today.

He has competed at the highest levels, qualifying for the JKF (Japanese Karate Federation) World Tournament held in Osaka (2023), Okinawa (2024), and placing top 8 in Sendai (2025)—marks of his elite skill and relentless pursuit of excellence.

In addition to Goju Ryu Karate, Chris has immersed himself in Ryukyu Shimbukan Kobudo under the mentorship of Hiroshi Akamine Kaicho and Dell Hamby Kyoshi, enriching his understanding of traditional Okinawan martial arts.

This year, Chris proudly joined the NSW Karate State Team and competed at the 2025 Karate Australia National Championships in Adelaide, South Australia, where he claimed 3rd place—a remarkable achievement on the national stage.

As a proud member of Karate Australia (the Australian Karate Federation), Chris continues to embody the spirit of the martial art—dedicated, growing, and inspiring.

            

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