Karatekas bag lots of medals at district championships
With accurate kicks and punches and a lot of passion, karatekas of the Hazyview Dojo won a total of 54 medals at the Shotokan Karate District Championships at Hoërskool Rob Ferreira on Saturday March 21.
The Lowveld and Eastern Gauteng Districts, as well as smaller sub-districts of Shotokan Karate SA, like eMalahleni and Pretoria competed in the championships.
The standard of both competitors and judges was very high and some fights had supporters biting their nails and cheering from the sidelines. The amazing sportsmanship among the competitors was clear as hugs and handshakes were given, even after the fiercest sparring fights. Several competitors also landed on the floor or received blows, but despite the shock and a few tears, the karatekas picked themselves up and continued very admirably.
The Lowveld district, which includes Mbombela, White River, Hazyview and Skukuza, did their senseis proud and performed excellently in both the kata and kumite (sparring) categories.
Students of Hazyview’s sensei Sandra and sensei Danie Jansen van Vuuren won the club trophy, while the Lowveld students won the district trophy. Van Vuuren’s students from Hazyview and Skukuza managed to win 14 gold, 21 silver, 15 bronze and four fourth place medals.
The top students of the Lowveld district will be chosen for a team heading to the National Shotokan Karate Championships in Cape Town on May 9.
View galleries of the event here and here.
