Alberton Cobra Shotokan Club coaches excel at world champs
The World Union of Karate-do Federations (WUKF) recently held the World Karate Championships, and two senseis from the Alberton Cobra Shotokan Club won the champion title.
The instructors at Cobras Shotokan Karate Club returned victorious from the WUKF World Karate Championships held in Scotland.
The 11th championships took place in Dundee, Scotland, under the direction of the WUKF. Over four days, 1 825 athletes from 62 federations across five continents participated.
Of the nine competitors hailing from the South African Shotokan Karate Academy (SASKA), seven were from Alberton’s Cobras Shotokan Karate Club.
Two instructors from the local karate club, father and son Laurent and Nicholas Gaston-Bellegarde, did exceptionally well and made it to the top three in different categories.
According to Nicholas, these difficult and fiercely contested divisions see all the athletes give it their all. However, the head instructors, Laurent and Nicholas, also the national coaches of the team, prevailed.
In the veteran men over 60 years kumite class, Laurent earned a bronze medal. Nicholas won a gold medal, the title of world champion in the veteran men 36 to 40 years all styles kata division, and a bronze medal in his kumite division.
“This was a special occasion for both of us. After having attended many world championship events together, to finally earn medals in our respective divisions at the same World Championship event was a special moment for us,” said Nicholas.
Laurent and Nicholas have practised and competed in karate for 35 years and taught shotokan karate for 27, starting with the founding of the Cobras Shotokan Karate Club in 1996.
“The enthusiasm with which we teach, as well as the successes we and our karate students achieve locally, nationally, and globally, are clear indications of our love for this martial art. The benefits of karate are endless and apply to people of all ages.
“We encourage anyone interested in karate to visit our club to experience the advantages it offers, being taught and guided by only the best, well-seasoned and experienced instructors. You will not look back,” Laurent said.
The Cobras group practises Mondays and Wednesdays from 17.30 to 18.30 (beginner lessons) and 18.30 to 19.30 (advanced classes) at Ascot Mews, 19 Heidelberg Avenue, Newmarket.
To learn more, contact Laurent on 082 494 2704 or Nicholas on 082 302 8637. Alternatively, visit their website.
