The 6th United World Martial Arts Federation South Africa (UWMAFSA) Open Martial Arts Tournament brought together karate and kung fu students at Paterson Park in Norwood on July 25.

They came together to participate in an open tournament where they demonstrated their skills while promoting respect and unity through martial arts. Hosted by UWMAFSA, the annual tournament consisted of karate competitors from different dojos and kung fu competitors from the Cape Town and Johannesburg South African Chin Whoo. The tournament started with demonstrations from the different disciplines, with competitors clearly showcasing their different forms and being judged on them.

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From there students got into the fighting division, where those in karate got onto the mat surrounded by their senseis who judged them. Students in the kung fu discipline also engaged in the fighting division respectively.

General secretary and organiser Roxanne Cassim said the tournament had grown tremendously since last year, and that the federation is open to welcoming even more martial arts disciplines in the coming years. “The whole idea behind this event is to bring many styles and martial artists together, promoting sportsmanship and respect, while allowing students to connect and make new friends.”

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UWMAFSA president Shihan Imtiaz Abdulla said the federation views martial arts as a way to participate in communities by teaching students positive values, respect, and discipline. “It teaches discipline, respect, and encourages people to be more proactive about their lives.”

Abdulla said the tournament also creates opportunities for people from different backgrounds to come together and connect. “The townships, the cities, and the suburbs all come together. Here everyone is equal, because what matters is what you can do on the floor.”

Representing the Chinese martial arts division, Mohammed Junaid Chefeker, who spearheaded the kung fu discipline’s strong presence at the tournament, acknowledged the opportunity to bring kung fu and karate together under one event. “It’s a good experience to bring Japanese and Chinese martial arts together because it shows unity in martial arts, despite the fact that we have different approaches. The intended goal is the same: To develop discipline, self-worth, and better people.”

With the world being in the digital era, the tournament also embraced technology through Sports Trainer Connect, a digital event management platform founded by Andries Roode. The system was used to manage registrations, competitor divisions, and results electronically, while supporting the smooth running of the competition.

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