Local karate talent kicking it with the big guns

He may be small in stature, but Brandon Shepherd is no lightweight in the karate world, where he has made an almost flawless transition from junior to senior level.

His reward for his diligence, patience, concentration and passion to perform was two bronze medals as part of the North West team at the South African Karate Championships in Turffontein on 4-5 March. Shepherd got third places in Kata and fighting respectively in the under 60 kg category.

Shepherd, who trains with Stephan Steyn and the NWU Pukke’s karate team, has been growing in leaps and bounds in his first senior year after a successful junior stint.

“It is a hectic division but the main priority for me was focusing on my mental calmness and preparation. You have to prepare yourself for success or failure at the top,” he said.

Shepherd (20) has been doing karate since the age of 5 and has loved every moment of it.

“My uncle was the main inspiration for me being involved in karate. I used to watch him and then I started and have not stopped since.”

Shepherd’s main goal is to participate in the 2020 Olympics and he has already had a sniff of the national setup when he made the SA senior national training squad in 2015.

“There are numerous events that I can compete in during the coming months. If I do well and keep focused then I will move closer to my Olympic dream.” I need to take it one step at a time,” he said.

Steyn only has admiration for Shepherd and believes he can go onto bigger things in the future.

“He is a fantastic athlete and competitor and one of the most hard-working guys. Definitely, someone to look out for in future,” he said.