GERALDTON Karate exponents have again performed above expectations at the JKA Australasian Championships, held in New Zealand last week.

Fourteen-year-old Alicia Constantino and Corey Smith, 16, showed excellent skills to respectively win silver and bronze medals at the Championships.

The only thing in their way of a gold medal were a couple of national champions.

Constantino, fighting in the under 16 girls 150-170cm black belt division, made it to the final of the tournament but met the current Australian champion and had to settle for silver.

Smith, who won the under 16s gold medal at last year's event, stepped up to the under 18 division and finished third, beaten by the New Zealand champion in the semi finals.

JKA State president and Geraldton Karate instructor Pasco Constantino said the pairs efforts were part of an outstanding overall performance from the WA team.

"Overall, WA had finalists in all but a couple of divisions," he said.

"It was excellent and Alicia and Corey were very good but unlucky to come up against such quality opponents."

Even unluckier was Jemma Shadforth, who was beaten by the Australian champion in the under 16 division and then the New Zealand champion in the under 18s.

"Jemma was really unfortunate to draw such competitors but she did well," Constantino said.

Aaron Renwick, also a gold medalist at last year's championships, won one fight and lost one to miss out on a medal this year.