Karateka compete at all styles karate tournament
Karateka from Butokukan Newcastle proved to be a formidable force at a tournament in Centurion.
Dressed in karate gi, 10 karateka from Butokukan Newcastle made their way to Centurion, Pretoria, on March 12.
Their mission, to compete in the 22nd Pieter Viljoen All Styles Karate Challenge.
Sensei Frik Willemse of Butokukan Newcastle explained the tournament was held for karateka to prepare themselves for the South African Sport Combat Association (SASCA) National Championships, set to take place from July 2 and to July 3 in Centurion, Pretoria.
In the Veteran division, Sensei Frik Willemse clinched second place in both the kumite and kata categories and first place in kubudo, while Emile Janse van Rensburg took third place in kumite, kata and kubudo.
In the men’s senior division, Hein Currie took first place in kata and third place in kumite.
The junior boys’ division saw Henko Bruin take third place in both kata and kubudo, while JP Mostert secured second place in kata and kubudo, and first place in kumite.
In the junior girls’ division, Chardy Beamson clinched first place in the kubudo and kumite divisions and second place in the kata category. Dané Beamson secured second place in the kata and kumite divisions. Jessica Munshi took third place in kata and second in kumite, while Casey Munshi took first place in kata and second place in kumite.
Altogether, the group obtained 22 medals, much to the delight of Sensei Frik Willemse.
“I was very happy with the standard of our students, but there is always room for improvement,” said Sensei Frik Willemse.
Anyone interested in traditional Okinawan Shorin-ryu karate and kobudo can contact Sensei Frik Willemse on 060 725 9815.
