Karateka makes the best call
A seasoned karateka in his own right, Mr Claasen recently attained the Judge B rating in kumite (freestyle fighting) during the Zone 6 Karate Championships in Johannesburg.
Deon Claasen knows how to call it right down the middle.
A seasoned karateka in his own right, Mr Claasen recently attained the Judge B rating in kumite (freestyle fighting) during the Zone 6 Karate Championships in Johannesburg.
His practical test – presiding over this nationwide tourney.
Now known formally as Region 5 under the African Karate Union, Zone 6 features karateka from South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola, Zambia and Swaziland.
Thus the pressure was on.
Over the course of the tournament, Mr Claasen and the other potential referees were put through their paces and assessed by Javier Escalante, the secretary of the World Karate Federation.
Mr Claasen said overall the experience had been both tiring and rewarding.
“It’s a lot different than at national level because you are presiding over teams from across Africa. It was long days of concentration for us.”
At the culmination of the tournament, Mr Claasen was among those awarded the official Judge B rating in kumite, allowing him to officiate karate bouts up to the level of Zone 6.
“It was a great learning experience and the standard was very high.”
