[VIDEO] Karateka-family world champions
A local sensei entered 30 of his karatekas among 800 other entries, and returned with over 40 medals.
Like father, like son, like dojo – local karatekas return from the Funakoshi World Championships as world champions.
More than 40 medals were won by the Traditional Karate Centre (TKC) at the World Championships in Randburg in August, and the dojo is already in preparation for the National Championship in November.
Sensei Marcel Hügli, who has trained karatekas for about 20 years at the TKC in Krugersdorp, was announced the world champion in the veterans division along with his 16-year-old son, Mischa Hügli as the world champion in his age category.
“I was very surprised. I have been going to the world championships every year since 2009, and this was my first win,” Sensei said.
Eight countries competed at the championships and among them were Russia, India, England, Portugal and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan has always been the dojo’s toughest competition, but this year the South African team pushed all the way through.
TKC has, after their overwhelming win, been invited by the Kazakhstan minister of Tourism for a friendly visit to Kazakhstan next year with a tournament that will be held in the local dojo’s honour.
Marcel, even though he is a free-spirited teacher, explained that karate is all about discipline. During their practice session this Thursday (23 October), his students all seemed to understand the importance of always being civil en respective, even towards you opponent.
The respected internationally qualified chief referee is currently at his sixth dan (rank) and told the News that his passion is definitely karate, but laughingly added that he also frames photographs in order to pay for the dojo.
From young to old, amateurs to veterans, the local dojo is a place where you can let go of everything except your focus on what is presently happening.
“Many karatekas come here and blow off a lot of steam,” Marcel concluded.
Even though the 30 contestants that TKC entered may not all be blood relatives, they are indeed a family of world champions.
For more photos of the karatekas at practice, click here.
Also read:
• Young karatekas impressive medal count
• Karate teaches toddlers discipline
• Karatekas graded to a black belt
