Drew claims gold at world champs
A group of Highway karateka recently competed at the World JKA Champs in Ireland, claiming three medals for South Africa.
MORE than 50 countries competed in the Japan Karate Association’s 14th World Championships at the University of Limerick in Ireland.
The competition is held every two years and is one of the toughest traditional karate competitions in the world.
Junior and senior members from the Highway area competed in the competition and raked in a few medals while gaining invaluable experience during their fights.
Drew Townley clinched the only gold medal for South Africa at the championships for kumite (fighting), in the 14 year old girls’ division.
This is also the first gold medal for South Africa since 1998 at the Shoto Cup in Paris.
SA won one gold, one silver and one bronze medal against the slew of competitors.
Sensei Karin Prinsloo (SA JKA national coach), said that all competitors from SA, especially from the Highway area, competed with good spirit and the hard work they had put in could be easily seen during their fights.
Drew trains under the tutelage of Sensei Karin Prinsloo at the Pinetown JKA Karate in Cowies Hill.
“Drew won the gold medal for the whole country,” Sensei Karin said. “It was a privilege to witness her winning this medal.”
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