Auckland Pride Board Chair Lexie Matheson has taken out a bronze medal at the WGKF World Karate Championships held over the weekend.
Matheson was the first transwoman to compete in the Championships, which this year was held in Bucharest, Romania.
“It’s such an honour to represent New Zealand, and to get to stand on the podium with two great Italian women was a really special moment,” says Matheson.
“The tournament has been extraordinary – over 1000 competitors from 37 countries – and Romania is a fabulous country. Bucharest is a very safe place for LGBT+ people.”
She is currently ranked Nidan (2nd dan, black belt) in Goju Ryu Okinawa Kan karate.
The Matheson family has much to celebrate as Matheson’s wife Cushla also brings home a medal for New Zealand, winning a silver medal in her division at the Championships.
