Potgieter collects top award at NWS karate prize-giving
She won a total of 17 medals last year in five tournaments - seven gold, six silver and four bronze.
Meganè Potgieter walked away with the sportswoman of the year award at the New World Shotokan (NWS) Karate prize-giving held at the Rynfield dojo on January 30.
Potgieter was the club’s top female performer in 2024 after upstaging her opponents in several tournaments.
She collected a total of 17 medals across five events, as well as a trophy for the most promising junior athlete at the NWS national championships in Cape Town.
The karateka started her year with two golds in kata and kumite during the all-styles championships before grabbing gold in kata and silver in kumite at the NWS interclub champs.
She added a gold in kata and another in the team kata, as well as a silver in kumite at the NWS regional championships before adding a silver in kata and bronze in kumite at the WUKF all-styles competition.
Her crowning moment came at the nationals in the Mother City where she collected three silver and three bronze medals as well as the most promising junior athlete trophy.
Also Read: NWS host successful club championship in Rynfield
Senpai Zelmerie du Plessis, who graded to shodan in 2023, was named the junior instructor of the year while sensei Chris Martin, fourth dan, received the instructor of the year award.
Refiloe Doro, who graded to junior shodan in December, walked away with the most technical karateka award while her family was named family of the year.
“We had a good 2024. Our membership increased so we became more nationally exposed by taking awards locally and nationally. They participated in their annual regional champs, as well as the national champs held in Cape Town. Our members are growing from strength to strength, showing true karate budo spirit,” said chief instructor John Barnett.,” said chief instructor John Barnett.
Rest of awards:
Most outstanding
• Lwethu Tshabangu (white – yellow belts)
• Madison Alexander (orange – green belts)
• Gustav du Plessis (blue – brown belts).
Most improved
• Hailey Walker (white – green belts)
• Declan Young (blue – brown belts).
Most dedicated
• Mark Staley (white – green belts)
• Madeleine Engelmohr (blue – brown belts).
Most spirited
• Dylan Grant (white – green belts)
• Kaeleb Staley (blue – brown belts).
Also Read: NWS karatekas grab medals at nationals
