Rising martial arts talent John Meso is celebrating a standout performance at a recent local karate tournament.
He walked away with multiple medals and the overall trophy, a victory he says was driven by pride in his school and a desire to motivate others. Meso said his focus was on giving back to his training community.
“I wanted to win the trophy for the school and bring it to the gym. Coach told me to do it for everyone, so it can inspire more students to join karate.”
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Meso trains under the QuanWessels BJJ and MMA Academy and with KyokushinKaikan Karate Johannesburg, where he says he has learned that martial arts are about far more than competition. “I’ve learned that karate is meant for discipline, not fighting or bullying people. If you are a karate student, you don’t harm or disrespect others. You help them learn, become disciplined, and be a good leader.”
Balancing training with school remains a key priority for the young athlete, who carefully manages his schedule to ensure his academics come first. “Sometimes I only train on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays because I also have schoolwork. I need to study, pass my exams, and then come back to train.”
With confidence growing alongside his medal collection, Meso is already setting his sights on the upcoming Sunninghill No-Gi Open, where he hopes to continue his winning run. “My goal is to win a lot of medals and become strong in the gym so I can help new students learn new things from me.”
Beyond competition, Meso believes martial arts plays a powerful role in shaping young people, especially in local communities.
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“My advice is for people to do martial arts so they can protect themselves from crime, and help their families and friends. It also gives you confidence, strength, discipline, and helps you make decisions in difficult situations.”
He encouraged other youngsters interested in joining the Tribe Martial Arts Foundation, or connecting with the Kwan Vessels Foundation, to take advantage of trial opportunities and explore martial arts as a pathway to personal growth. “Martial arts are for everyone, not just one person.”
Meso was not the only athlete to impress on the day, with several young competitors delivering podium finishes, including Kgaugelo Meso, who received two silver medals, Nandipha Nxumalo, who received a gold and a bronze medal, Noluthando Nxumalo, who received a bronze medal, and Aphile Ndlovu, who received a silver medal.
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