Horizon Karate Centre among the medals again at national championships
Participation at the national event continues to grow and Horizon Karate Centre continues to set the standard.
From primary schoolers to corporate professionals, karate excellence has no age restriction.
The Horizon Karate Centre (HKC) proudly boosted 53 students representing Gauteng at the 2023 SA JKA National Championships held at Ellis Park Arena recently.
This year’s national competition was massive with close to 4 000 entries from all nine provinces. The standard of competition was excellent and HKC maintained their respected record, earning 14 bronze, six silver and six gold medals.
Sensei Wendy Wannenburg has been moulding sharp minds and bodies at the Ontdekkers Road dojo for 23 years. Regardless of age and skill level, the 6th dan sensei is gifted in bringing the best out of any age. The youngest of the gold medalists were 12-year-old green belt Navaeh Thomas and 13-year-old purple belt Cameron Callegari who won their junior novice Kata and Kumite sections, respectively.
Putting age in the rearview mirror, Leo Kok won gold in the Men’s Veteran 40 plus green to purple belt section while Leanne Knuist bagged a double gold medal. Competing in the Veteran Novice Ladies green to purple belt section for over 40s, Knuist earned the title of national champion in both the kata and kumite. Rounding out the gold medals was Alyssa van Der Merwe in the ladies’ team Kata.
The youngest of the other medalists were six-year-old Liam Davis and seven-year-old Aliyah Apollos. Liam won the bronze in the junior novice boys orange belt Kata while Aliyah won silver in the junior novice girls yellow belt Kata.
“Tournament karate is only a small part of karate training. Medals are nice but not the reason that we train,” said an overjoyed, yet introspective Wannenburg.
Exceptionally proud of everyone who participated, Wannenburg reminded aspiring karateka that the benefits available by joining karate are numerous and that karate is a long-term way of life.
Even with almost 40 years of karate excellence behind her, there are no signs of planning to stop any time soon.
