“What do you mean girls should not get involved in contact fighting? It is so much fun!”
Tarika Gokar is pretty as a picture, sitting in her parents’ living room with a broad smile.
It is difficult to believe the 15-year-old is preparing to travel to Switzerland to grade for her black belt in karate.
“I was always a tomboy and I loved watching fighting movies, with Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. So when I started karate at seven years old, I was instantly hooked. I also play table tennis, volleyball and swim but karate has my heart.”
Eight years later Tarika, a brown belt (first kyu), has been selected to join students from all over the world to be graded by Shotokan Kokusai Karate South Africa (SKKSA) international Sensei Kanazawa.
This is not the first achievement for the petite grade 10 Stanger Manor Secondary pupil, who was awarded KZN colours for five consecutive years, and represented the province at the National Karate Tournament from 2010 to 2013.
But to be graded by a grand master is her dream come true.
“I am proud to have come this far but the pressure is now on. Grading for my black belt is one thing, but doing it on an international level is exciting and very humbling.”
Once she has achieved her black belt Tarika is aiming for her Protea colours in karate. She also has ambitions of representing SA at the 2020 Olympics.
“Karate teaches discipline, self-control and respect. I have had a few bloody noses but I am tough. It is not a boys-only sport, anyone can do it.”
Tarika leaves for Switzerland on July 18 with her mother, Abby.
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