MOHAMMAD Rezaie is in a race against time to be fit for the Kyokushin Karate World Cup.
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The 26-year-old is currently sporting a cast for a break in his right hand, which happened at a recent New South Wales state tournament.
Rezaie won the full-contact event, despite sustaining the injury in the opening round.
He is hopeful of being ready for the World Cup, where he will be joined in Australian colours by fellow Ballarat kyokushin karate star Shannyn Johnstone-Ward, 22, who is preparing for her fourth appearance at the event.
The pair has been selected following their performances and results at past tournaments.
“It’s exciting. We have had consistent representation in world tournaments since 2006. We have always had at least 2-5 selected, which is really good because they only select a small team from Australia,” Ballarat instructor Monica Hardy said.
Rezaie will compete in the open men’s heavyweight division and Johnstone-Ward in the open women’s middleweight category.
The Kyokushin Karate World Cup is held in South Africa in early September.