Alra Park Enshin karate fighters shine in Pretoria SABAKI Challenge
Young karatekas from Alra Park delivered standout performances at the SABAKI Challenge in Pretoria, earning multiple medals and praise for their resilience despite training under challenging conditions.
Learners from Alra Park’s Enshin karate dojo delivered an impressive performance at the SABAKI Challenge held in Pretoria on May 2, showcasing determination and skill against strong opposition from across the province.
Representing Enshin Karate South Africa, the young athletes competed across various age categories and returned home with several notable achievements. Zaheer Sallie secured second place in the U15 division, earning a silver medal.
Joshua Baloyi also claimed silver after finishing runner-up in the U12 category, while Naheer Sallie added to the medal tally with a second-place finish in the U14 division.
Ismael Arnold emerged as one of the standout performers of the tournament. He was crowned Gauteng champion and named Best Fighter of the event, earning the nickname “Lion Heart” for his fearless approach on the tatami, which drew enthusiastic support from the crowd.
In the younger division, Sphesihle Gwebu excelled to claim the title of Gauteng U8 knockdown karate champion, further underlining the club’s depth of talent.
Despite their success, the athletes train under challenging conditions, practising in a small kitchen at the Old Happiness School in Mackenzieville, where there are no dedicated indoor sporting facilities.
Their achievements highlight both their resilience and commitment to the sport. Instructor German Visser praised the learners for their dedication and perseverance.
“I am incredibly proud of each and every one of these students. They continue to rise above difficult training conditions and show true fighting spirit, discipline and heart. Their performances at the SABAKI Challenge are a testament to their hard work, and I believe they have the potential to achieve even greater success in the future,” he said.
One of the junior champions has also secured qualification for the South African SABAKI Challenge, set to take place in Cape Town on October 7. A strong performance at that event could open the door to competing at the prestigious All Japan Full Contact Karate Championships in November.
