Kung Fu Jane brings home the Silver

After an eight-year break from competitive karate, local mother of two Jane Gardner brought home the silverware from the 17th Kimura Shokokai International (KSI) World Tournament at Sun City last month.

Within just over a year back in training Gardner, the two Dan black belt, was chosen for the SA squad. Jane was to compete in the KSI World Tournament for individual and team Kata and Kumite as well as unison Kata. She was also the only KZN fighter chosen to be part of the SAN ladies first team.Even after suffering from a broken sternum six weeks before the world tournament Jane continued to train hard through the pain.The owner of Liquid Movement karate dojo at Curro Mount Richmore, said it was a privilege to be chosen to represent her country and she was not going to give it up without a fight.”When you want something badly enough you will do anything to get it. Once that adrenaline is pumping, nothing else matters.”She trains every day leading up to a big competition and her most dedicated training partners are her family – her husband, her son (8) and daughter (3).The ladies’ first team made it to the finals, placing second for team kumite and team SAN came second to the USA.”The feeling of being out there on that floor is mind blowing. To walk out with all the countries holding their flags, it gives you goose bumps. The energy was electric.”Jane has been eating, sleeping and breathing karate for 20 years, starting competing when she was 11, to build upper body strength for gymnastics.In 2000 she won her first gold medal as an individual and in 2004 she competed in the SA ladies team, bring home gold.

“If you are willing to put in the hours you will get results. Practice does not make perfect, practice makes permanent.”Her advice is to “rather do one perfect punch than a 1000 non perfect ones.”

Follow the North Coast Courier on Twitter, Facebook and BBM: 2A24E31A.