Karate warriors bag 50 medals
Karate warriors from the Eksteen Bushido Freestyle Karatedo Institute in the city came home with a bag full of medals after making their opponents tap-out during the TSKKIA All Styles National Championships held at Sun City recently.
POLOKWANE – Karate warriors from the Eksteen Bushido Freestyle Karatedo Institute in the city came home with a bag full of medals after making their opponents tap-out during the TSKKIA All Styles National Championships held at Sun City recently.
The team, consisting of 17 members under the directorship of sensei Annatjie de Jager, made the province proud as they claimed a total of 50 medals during the national tournament. The karatekas scooped 26 gold medals, 16 silver medals and eight bronze medals in various divisions such as unison kata, individual kata and kumite.
According to grandmaster Henri Eksteen (9th dan), chief instructor and owner of the Eksteen Bushido Freestyle Karatedo Institute, this remarkable achievement is to date the highest number of medals the organisation has received in almost 16 years since it opened its doors in the city.
“All the fighters who won a gold medal for first position in either unison kata, individual kata and or kumite will receive their TSKKIA national colours. This is seldom seen that an invitational team with different styles is recognised for this achievement,” stated Eksteen.
He added the dojo also received a beautiful trophy in recognition for being Best Performing Dojo of the day as their discipline and results were unmatched.
Eksteen said all the fighters did exceptionally well during the tournament and he was delighted with the results and wished his warriors best of luck with their future endeavours.
Eksteen’s institution is now preparing for the 11th invitational South African National Battle in the Bush All Styles Championships which will take place at the dojo on 14 November.
