Karate School of Champions triumphs in Zimbabwe

Four members of the Karate School of Champions represented SA at the 15th Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 championships in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Saturday 28 May.

In spite of the long day, starting at 07:30 and ending around 02:30 on Sunday morning, all four, Nikhira Piyarlall (11), Tian Wolmarans (12), Minèt Uys (18) and Meghan Booyens (25), persevered to win medals for their divisions.

Piyarlall received bronze, which was a brilliant achievement for her first international competition.

Wolmarans, shorter than most of his fellow competitors, took gold with his quick front hand.

Uys took gold in the u.21 division and silver in her seniors division.

Booyens won gold in her seniors division.

Uys and Booyens took gold in the team kumite division.

SA also took silver for the ladies team kumite.

The extra competition-focused training sessions during the week and every second weekend and the students’ hard work and dedication was clearly visible in their performances, which would not have been possible without instructors Andre and Lourencia Kok.

The instructors visit Japan annually and have a close relationship with the Japanese masters and constantly study the evolving art of the JKS Shotokan style.

The next big competition is the JKS World Championships in Scotland in September.

np/mk