“No war is going to stop me” says Salt Rock karate kid Tai Smith

A 12-year-old Salt Rock boy has been named captain of the South African junior team to compete in the GTF World Taekwon-Do Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Tai Kingsley Smith and his team will fly out on Saturday for the championships starting next Wednesday.

“We are now down to six members, and while one is apprehensive about the war situation, I am not letting fear stop me from going to the championships. I have waited too long for this opportunity.

“Covid put a hold on the championships for almost two years and no war or anything will stop me from going,” said Tai.

He is trained by master Vladimir Grachev and has been doing Taekwon-Do for the past eight years.

Tai earned his 1st Dan black belt when he was 10 and is now aiming for his second Dan.

Restricted in recent times to competitions in towns around the country, he now relishes the opportunity of proving his mettle at an international level.

“I am very excited about the upcoming fights, but not so much about the flights. I really don’t like flying, especially the landing part, and we will be flying for two days. When I’m in a plane, someone else is in control, but when I fight, I know that I am in control.”

The Ashton International College pupil trains five days a week, often waking at 4.30am to get training done before school.

His mother, Viki van den Barselaar-Smith, said since finding his passion for Taekwon-Do he has not let up on his commitment to the sport.

“We are very proud of his dedication and incredibly excited that his love of the sport has now opened the world for him. I cried when he was named captain of the team,” said Viki.

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