Fourways dojo takes home 18 medals at national championships
FOURWAYS – The Fourways Martial Arts Academy performed well at the Karate South Africa National Championships last month, raking in 18 medals.
The Fourways Martial Arts Academy performed extremely well at the recent Karate South Africa National Championships, raking in 18 medals consisting of nine gold, five silver and four bronze medals.
Sensei Stef Biagioni of the academy said, “I cannot stress enough what a great start to the year this is for the Fourways dojo.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to my senior referee, sensei Roberta Biagioni, who not only qualified to the next level but has also been selected to referee at the Zone 6 Championship.”
Biagioni added that Roberta represented the academy selflessly and tirelessly at the national championships.
Eight provinces were represented at the event, which also served as a ranking system for future international championships including the Zone 6 Championship in Botswana, the All Africa Cup, The World Karate Federation (WKF) Youth League Championship in Croatia, the Commonwealth Karate Championship in South Africa and the WKF Senior World Championship in Spain.
Before qualifying to compete in the national championships, athletes had to qualify for the Ekurhuleni region in November last year. Those who qualified for the Ekurhuleni region had to again qualify in February to represent Gauteng.
Biagioni also extended his thanks to team manager for the Gauteng Karate Federation, Jacqui Baynes, for all her hard work at the championships.
All the medal winners from the Fourways Martial Arts Academy might have the opportunity to compete in the up and coming international events.
Results from the Fourways Martial Arts Academy were as follows:
- Aidan Zeeman (unison, silver),
- Alessandro Biagioni (kata, gold),
- Angela Tsita (kata, bronze),
- Ataina Ruocchio (unison, bronze),
- Danika Stevens (kumite, gold),
- Erin Ford (unison, gold),
- Justin Baynes (kumite, bronze and unison, gold),
- Malcom Driessel (unison, gold),
- Reece Baynes (kata, gold and kumite, bronze),
- Silvio Bagioni (kata, silver),
- Stef Biagioni (kata, gold),
- Sven Langenhorst (unison, silver),
- Taneka Visser (unison, gold) and
- Thea Langenhorst (unison, gold).
