Meaghan Nixon of Baulkham Hills and Elka Cruz, Natalie Rouessart and Doug Rouessart, all from Glenwood, were chosen for the Australian team after strong performances at the national championships in Glenwood in October.

Mr Rouessart, an instructor at the Epping dojo where the group train, will be the national coach. And with fewer than 40 days until the event

, co-captain Meaghan Nixon said the group was training more than five times a week.

``Everybody is making the most of the time before the event, not panicking, but locking everything into place,'' she said. ``We've put in a year's worth of training so we all feel confident.''

The group will compete in both the kumite (or point fighting) and kata sections.

``Some teams only specialise in the one area so it can be a disadvantage but it is more in the spirit of karate to learn all aspects,'' Nixon said.