Duduza karate club performs well at provincial tournament

Duduza – Karate organisation Ikok Sonoda celebrated a massive victory following their win at the provincial tournament that was held in Soweto at the Orlando Community Hall on July 9.
The team’s first provincial tournament was organised by the Gauteng Iko Matsushima.
Fighters from across Gauteng, Durban and Mpumalanga entered the tournament.
The club’s founder and instructor, Bheki Radebe, said preparation played a big role in their success.
“We went into this tournament knowing that we are the underdogs.
“Since it was the first time our students were competing in an intense contest of this nature.
“But preparation produced adequate results for our team as the majority of our fighters won in their divisions,” explained Bheki.

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All karatekas from Duduza Sonoda Group were competing under the junior division.
Two of them obtained the first position in their weight divisions, one fighter placed second and another third.
Radebe stated he is impressed and proud of his students though some didn’t win any trophies.
“They fought well and it was unfortunate that they couldn’t bring any prizes home.
“Initially, the aim for participating in the tournament was to offer them an opportunity to gain experience and for them to compete with the best fighters in the province as there were lots of big names in this competition, who have already made an impression in the circle of karate fighters.
“I’m happy we came back with more than we had set up for,” added Radebe.
The club was established last year in October as a Duduza Library sports extramural activity.
They started with only five karatekas. They now have 30.