Blackheath dojang amass medals at SA Champs

Members of Alchemy Dojang (a term that refers to a formal training hall) in Blackheath excelled at the recent South African Championships in March.

This dojang specialises in the Korean Martial Arts of Tang Soo Do and Haedong Kumdo training.

The championships held at Wits University were part of the selections for next year’s tour to San Diego, California to represent South Africa in the Tang Soo Do World Championships.

The medal haul for Blackheath dojang was remarkable: 17 members of the club earned 32 medals between them. The final tally was 13 gold medals, 10 silver and nine bronze for Blackheath.

Master Gregory Hart (6th Dan), Master Instructor, at Alchemy will be taking most of these martial artists down to Bloemfontein for the Free State Championships at the end of the month.

“We have nine South African Champions from this group in various disciplines and are thrilled with these results,”said Hart.

The Championships were hosted by the Wits Tang Soo Do club and there were over 200 participants from five provinces represented at the tournament.

Medal tally:

Nikilya Ralitsoele, 16yrs, 2 Dan Ladies, won Bronze in Sparring, Gold for Forms and Silver for Weapons Forms Jenna Little, 13yrs, 1 Dan Girls took Silver in Forms

Natalie Duligal, 13yrs, 1 Dan Girls achieved Silver in Sparring, Gold for Forms, Silver in Weapons Forms, Gold for Sword Sparring and Gold in Sword Forms

Celia van Wyk, 18yrs, Red Belt Ladies took Bronze in Weapons Forms

Carl Quitter, 13yrs, Red Belt Boys won Bronze in Sparring

Lenka Liphoko,14yrs, Red Belt Boys earned Silver for Sparring, Silver in Forms and Bronze for Weapons Forms

Paris-Leigh van der Plank, 8yrs, Green Belt Girls won Gold in Forms and Gold in Weapons Forms

Jeseca Matos Dos Santos, 16yrs Green Belt, Ladies won Gold in Forms and Bronze for Weapons Forms

Michael Heathfield, 12yrs, Green Belt Boys took the Bronze in Forms and Gold for Weapons Forms; Jared Goodacre, 9yrs, Green Belt Boys earned Silver for Forms and Gold in Weapons Forms

Katso Liphoko, 8yrs, Green Belt Boys won Silver for Weapons Forms; Ewan Price, 7yrs, Green Belt Boys took the Bronze in Forms

Tamzin Coetzee, 10yrs, Purple Belt Girls took Silver for Forms and Silver in Weapons Forms

Jacqueline Kriek, 10yrs, Purple Belt Girls won Gold in Sparring

Alessandro Fabris, 7yrs, Purple Belt Boys won Gold for Weapons Forms

Wisdom Ijeh, 9yrs, Purple Belt Girls earned a Bronze in Sparring

Balala Mahlawe, 8yrs, Purple Belt Girls won Gold for Sparring

Kyle Best took the Bronze in Sword Sparring