Karatekas all set for world tournament

POLOKWANE – Kimura Shukokai Karate Club students excelled at the recent Northern Regional Kimura Shukokai Championships at Wits University in Johannesburg, bringing home a total of 20 medals.

The championships is also known as the nationals, with students from Kwa-Zulu Natal and Zimbabwe participating.

Under the guidance of multiple world champion, sensei Marcia van Niekerk, five students from the club were selected to participate in the Kimura Shukokai International World Championships at Sun City in August.

“It is special for us because the world championships will only be hosted in South Arica again in 10 years’ time,” said Van Niekerk.

Van Niekerk, Bogoshi Rabatseta, sensei Soekie Dierks, Tshiamo Makondo, Hanli Heins, Heinrich Heins and Jordan Page will compete in the world championships.

Dierks has won gold at the championships before and Van Niekerk has also claimed three gold medals and silver medals at this prestigious tournament.

Heinrich won a bronze medal at the world championships two years ago in America, while Hanli also participated in the previous world championships.

Rabatseta, Makondo and Page will compete in the tournament for the first time.

Northern Regional Kimura Shukokai medal winners:

• Kwete Kganyago – gold for kata.

• Dimpho Maibele – silver for kata.

• Abigail Erasmus – bronze for kata.

• Tumi Ncube – silver for kata and silver for kumite.

• Shannon Page – silver for kumite and bronze for kata.

• Joshua Steyn – silver for kumite.

• Bogoshi Rabatseta – gold for kata and gold for kumite.

• Marcia van Niekerk – gold for kata.

• Hannes Erasmus – gold for kumite.

• Hanli Heins – gold for kata and bronze for kumite.

• Heinrich Heins – gold for kata and gold for kumite.

• Jordan Page – silver for kumite and bronze for kata.

• Tshiamo Makondo – gold for kata and bronze for kumite.