Japanese recognise UL karate coach

The Japanese Karate Association, Shinkyokushin has awarded a seasoned karate coach at the University of Limpopo (UL), Lechellele Medupi with a certificate that recognises him as one of the pioneers of karate in the country.
Medupi received the certificate during the annual Shinkyokushinkai Karate Championships recently held in Klerksdorp, Gauteng.
The Mankweng-born mentor contributed immensely to the development of karate in the province and the country, with various accolades under his belt.
He fought in over 50 championships that earned him first Dan Black Belt, Second Dan Belt and the thrd Black Dan Belt.
He has been at the helm of the University’s karate team since 2012, after joining team in 1994 as a volunteer.
He has trained over 150 ardent student karatekas and in 2017, he guided the UL karate team to the University Sport of South Africa (Ussa) games and two of his students won gold medals in the 75 kg and 65 kg categories.
He has been to Japan to benchmark on competing in international championships.
He says the certificate will open more doors for him and encourage him to develop the sport in the rural areas. “Karate is a disciplined sport and requires good behaviour. I want to establish training centres in Phalaborwa, Mokopane, Mankweng and Tzaneen. I want to see youg people taking part in the sport by so doing we will growing the sporting code,” Medupi said.
He is expected to lead the UL karate team at the 2019 Ussa games set to place later this year .
He says the team is hoping for nothing less than a gold medal at the event.“We are ready for any challenge. I am particularly excited that we have more females who will be taking part in the sport.”

Story: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com