AFCKO hold grading ceremony
African Full Contact Karate Organisation (AFCKO) founder Thulane Sibisi said he would like to thank everyone who rallied behind AFCKO and gave support to the organisation throughout 2019.
During the AFCKO grading ceremony on November 30 at Mponsheng Secondary School in Katlehong, Sibisi said this has been the busiest year for AFCKO, but due to the support they received from different stakeholders such as parents, Dr. T Sizani, Dexter Butchery, Department of Sport and Recreation, Arts and Culture in Ekurhuleni as well as karatekas, they pulled through. He thanked all of them for their commitment and dedication.
Sibisi also thanked Kathorus MAIL for their passion for the sport.
“Without the kind of support we received from the above-mentioned stakeholders, we wouldn’t have achieved what we achieved this year,” Sibisi told this publication, adding that with this kind of support the future of karate in this country is bright.
He also mentioned that within the few years of AFCKO’s existence, they have managed to create world champions in sempai Anele Madlala, World Fighting Kyokushinkai Organisation (WFKO) champion, and semsei Mbali Msomi, International Kyokushinkai Karate Federation (IKKF) champion.
“We have also managed to take some of our karatekas to the Shinkyokushin Matlosana Tournament in March and did well there as we came back with Sibonelo Ncube getting position one in men u-60kg, Msomi also getting position one in the ladies’ open category and Fundisa Ncube also getting position one in ladies u-55kg,” he said.
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According to Sibisi, more than 500 full contact karate students were graded in different belts from different karate clubs.
“During the Kyokushin Kan Karate international camp, more than 10 AFCKO members participated in black belt grading, which was held in Cape Town. Bongane Mkhwanazi got his black belt first dan, Thabo Malatji got second dan black belt and Mkhombiseni Manyathi also got second dan black belt.
“There was also the senior SADC Tournament in Thokoza in May where our Malatji got position one in men’s u-70kg, Lungiswa Tomatoma won the ladies’ open division and Madlala won the men’s u-80kg convincingly.
“The AFCKO Holiday Programme saw more than 80 students taking part in the team building programme to instil discipline in the sport.
“There was also AFCKO Enshin Karate that took part in the Kyokushi Kan Karate Tournament which was in Tsakane. There, Simon Ndungane got position two in the boys’ u-50kg category while Madumane Mngomezulu won the boys’ u-55kg,” he said.
He said the AFCKO Junior Karate Tournament took place at Sam Ntuli Stadium in Thokoza. Khensani Baloyi got position one in the women’s u-50kg, Thandiwa Mokonzo got position two in the men’s u-30kg and Siyabonga Pitso received his green belt and brown belt at the same time.
Sibisi told Kathorus MAIL it has always been his dream to see underprivileged karate students partake in national and international tournaments.
“With all the kind of support we had, we have managed to see karatekas from rural areas and informal settlements living out this dream.”
About the plans for the coming year, Sibisi said he hopes 2020 will bear better fruits than 2019.
“I wish more students will be given opportunities of a lifetime and that parents can continue to give similar support by allowing their children to attend karate classes,” Sibisi said.
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Sibisi said the grading ceremony was a success. He singled out four karatekas who graduated to the next belt – Pitso, who graded from green belt to brown belt, Baloyi, who also graduated from green to brown, Boy Mavimbela, who graduated from blue to yellow, and Ayanda Buthelezi, who graduated from white to orange.
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