Patterson Park in Norwood came alive today, as the United World Martial Arts Federation South Africa (UWMAFSA) hosted its open championship. An event focused on empowering youth through martial arts.

The championship is open to all martial arts styles and age categories, offering a platform for a wide range of participants to showcase their skills. Organised in partnership with the Gauteng Province, the event highlights inclusivity and development through sport.

Read more: #ACTIVE Mixed Martial Arts

“We’ve opened the competition to all styles and age categories. It’s not just about medals; it’s about giving young people an opportunity to grow through martial arts,” said Roxanne Cassim, general secretary of the championship. “This isn’t just sport; it’s youth development in action.”

The event is being held at Patterson Park, a facility made available through support from the Gauteng Province. Cassim acknowledged their contribution, saying: “It’s wonderful to see the local authorities support initiatives that are aimed at empowering the youth.”

The championship is overseen by UWMAFSA president and 8th dan Abdulla Imtiaz, who has played a key role in martial arts development in South Africa. Imtiyaz has helped grow the sport by bringing the traditions of Japan into the local context and nurturing future generations of martial artists.

This story is developing. An update will follow once final results and comments from the organisers are available.

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