DURBAN North resident and karateka Jenna-Lee Atkinson represented her country with pride at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola in December.

The 14-year-old won a silver medal in the team kata event with teammates Farah Seedat and Yathiksha Sewpersad.

The Grade Eight learner at Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School also took part in the individual kata event where she placed fifth overall.

Kata is a detailed choreographed pattern of movements and in a team kata, every competitor has to be in sync and move in unison.

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“Our sensei Renshi Brando Pillay came up with this amazing team and we all worked really hard through all the tournaments. We all worked hard in training and when we landed in Angola, our collective goal was to get on the podium. To be able to accomplish a team silver was amazing. The level of competition was quite tough and seeing what my fellow competitors from the other countries brought to the competition was inspiring,” she said.

Speaking on her individual kata performance, Jenna-Lee provided a frank assessment.

“I feel I performed at the best of my abilities. I wasn’t quite prepared for the individual but when I walked onto the mat I gave it my all. To finish fifth, especially at this level of competition, I was happy with that. This was also my first time participating at the African Youth Games.”

While this was an all-styles karate competition, Jenna-Lee is a member of the Shotokan Karate-do International South Africa (SKISA) and is trained by Renshi Pillay and Hanshi Sonny Pillay, who is also president of Karate South Africa.

Also read: Durban North teen races to fifth SA title

In February Jenna-Lee will travel to Fujairah in the UAE for the Karate One-Youth League competition before taking part in the Karate-One Youth League in Harare, Zimbabwe in March.

Jenna-Lee, Farah and Yathiksha will also compete at the Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal in October.

How team SA fared

• Team South Africa topped the medals table and won 99 medals (45 gold, 38 silver and 16 bronze).
• This was the third time Team SA competed at this competition.
• 7 of the 12 different sporting codes that took part won medals; swimming, athletics, karate, weightlifting, badminton, cycling and tennis.

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