Jessica Bratich certainly knows how to make an impact on the national and international stage.
A karate exponent from an early age, Bratich first took an interest in karate at age 8 at dad Branco’s dojo Yoseikan-Ryu Karate International. Her record in national competitions in the kumite division is simply astonishing. From 1994 to 2006 she claimed over 30 national and Australian Open titles, consistently winning gold in her age category as a junior and her weight class as a senior. Competing internationally from the age of 14, she won a bronze medal in her first international competition in Hungary (out of 96 competitors).
She travelled the world and went on to claim 14 international medals throughout her karate career and in 2006 she claimed a bronze medal at the World Championships in Finland – the first Australian to win a medal at that level in eight years.
Bratich grew up in Padbury and hasn’t moved far from home now living with her family in Hillarys. She has taught karate most of her life – after taking a few years off to have children. She has returned to teaching in Padbury alongside her daughter.