Medal success for Northern Natal karateka

NEWCASTLE – Local karate practitioners excelled at the JKA Provincial Championships in February.

A total of 87 karateka from Northern KwaZulu-Natal competed in the championships in Pinetown.

The competition featured JKA branches from across the province.

Karateka from NKZN, including 29 competitors from Newcastle, returned home with a staggering medal count of 104.

They have all qualified for the South African JKA Championships in May.

Sensei Johan Swart extended his congratulations to the following karateka, who achieved a top-three place in their respective divisions:

Abongwe Mntambo – silver in kumite

Adiya Singh – bronze in both kata and kumite

Aiden Scheepers – gold in both kata and kumite

Aneke Grundling – bronze in kata

Angus Burns – gold in kata and silver in kumite

Benjamin Vorster – bronze in kumite

Cassidy Steenkamp – silver in kumite

Charles Kemp – gold in kata

Gerhard Scheepers – silver in kata and bronze in kumite

Gunter Heydenrych – silver in kata

Ipeleng Mosupye – silver in kata and bronze in kumite

Jaydene Naidoo – bronze in both kata and kumite

Kaira Beukes – silver in kata and bronze in kumite

Kaylum Singh – silver in both kata and kumite

Kyle du Plessis – bronze in kumite

Mariné du Plessis – silver in kata

Marjohané Swart – bronze in both kata and kumite

Marko Swart – bronze in kumite

Marnell Beukes – bronze in kata

Michelle van Staden – silver in kumite and bronze in kata

Mthunzi Mbatha – gold in kumite

Nathan Kemp – silver in kumite

Riaan Prinsloo – gold in both kata and kumite

Rowen Claassen – bronze in both kata and kumite

Siba Vuba – silver in kata

Srikar Mohunram – silver in kata and bronze in kumite

Xean Rothman – bronze in kata.

“We are very proud of these wonderful achievements, and thank the karateka for their diligence, hard work and impeccable performance both on and off the floor,” said Sensei Swart.

He thanked the coaches, sensei and managers for performing their duties expertly.

Sensei Swart also received due accolades for qualifying as a National JKA Ring Controller, in addition to Sensei Nazir Hoosen and Sensei Shani Mason, who both qualified as National JKA Judges the same weekend.

For more information, contact Sensei Swart on 083 658 7157.