Ballito’s Dzemil fights his way to silver

Ballito’s martial arts maestro Dzemil Muric claimed a second place at the weekend’s Commonwealth Karate Championship on Saturday.

More than 700 fighters from around the world converged in Durban to duke it out for honours.

Dzemil, who has been in training for the championships since the beginning of the year while also juggling matric, said the tournament was absolutely amazing.

“The pressure was definitely on. The crowd was amazing – the South African fans made so much noise for us. I was getting goosebumps just warming up with some of the other fighters.”

Muric blazed through the semifinals but unfortunately could not clinch the final fight.

“Yeah, that last one was heartbreaking – but at least I lost to another South African and not someone from one of the visiting countries.”

Fortunately, one of the key concepts imparted by the first family of karate – the Pillays of Tongaat – is to pick yourself up and dust yourself off after life throws you any kind of knock.

He is planning on heading to study in Europe, but said his primary focus right now was getting prepared for the upcoming Shotokan Karate International Federation world cup in the Czech Republic next year.

Dzemil thanked Brando, Theo and Sonny Pillay for the endless hours of effort they have put into his karate career, helping him to become the fighter he is today.

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