Gabriella’s hobby all for the kicks

In her high heels and pretty dress, Gabriella Malindi (17) does not strike people as a karate student who is winning high praise at Carpe Diem JKA.

Gabriella says she was recently named best grading karateka and sensei of the year at Carpe Diem’s award ceremony.

She started practicing karate in 2010 after sensei Dave Deysel visited her school, Northern Academy, where he told the learners about the sport.

“At first I did not see myself as a girl who would do karate, but I eventually decided to try it,” says Gabriella, who was the first karateka to earn a blackbelt in her club.

In 2010, she received a trophy for showing the most potential and showed that she deserved it by winning the best senior karate girl trophy in 2011.

She won the trophy for the best senior kata fighter in 2012.

Gabriella hasn’t taken part in that many competitions yet. “I actually started this sport just for the fun of it,” she explains.

She took part in the Limpopo Karate Association championships, The Battle of the Bush and several Japan Karate Associate competitions.

At the few competitions she did take part in, she won 10 gold medals and two silver medals.

“Karate became a passion for me, it is a lot more than just a sport. It taught me self-discipline and I can defend myself,” says Gabriella. “Being a sensei also sharpened my leadership skills,” she adds.

Gabriella is in gr. 12 and wants to study law next year. “High school might be over, but it is definitely not the end of karate,” she says.