First punch brings home victory

Five young pupils from Liquid Movement KSI Karate Dojo at Curro Mt Richmore returned victorious with 10 medals – two gold, five silver and three bronze – from their first ever KSI karate tournament on August 31.

The pupils aged eight to 12 competed in the KZN KSI Kisetsu Spring Champs in Hilton, a friendly competition with about 30 competitors in total who participated.

This competition is used as preparation to gear up all competitors for the KZN Champs on September 20, qualifiers for the Northern Regions in Johannesburg next year.

The five young pupils have had only a few months of training experience.

The youngest of the competitors Damien Gardner (8) who just recently achieved his yellow belt was awarded a silver medal for Kata and bronze for his Kumite.

Super star Tayla Daws (11) has only been training for five months and has already brought home two gold medals for her Kata and Kumite in her very first competition.

Owethu Nyawose (10), has also been training for only five months, achieved a silver for her Kata and a bronze for her Kumite.

Shannon Loud (12) did the dojo proud by bringing home two silvers for Kata and Kumite and Xanthe Benecke (10) was awarded a bronze for her Kata and silver for her Kumite.

Sensei Jane Gardner, owner of Liquid Movement, was really proud of her team.

“It was so amazing to see my little monkeys with giant smiles on their faces. It is such a good confidence booster for them. It makes them want to carry on working harder and loving what they do. You can only excel in something you love,” said Gardner.

Twelve of Gardner’s students, including the above five, are set to enter into the KZN Champs at the end of this month.

The top three in each category go through to the Northern Regions.