Midrand and Marlboro karatekas shine at 5th Gold Karate Tournament
Karate enthusiasts from Gauteng and beyond descended on Kempton Park to put their self-defence skills and hard training to the test.
Determined competitors filled the Kempton Park Indoor Sports Centre when the Midrand and Marlboro Shotokan Karate Clubs hosted their fifth Gold Karate Tournament.
The annual event attracted a strong turnout of athletes and officials from Gauteng and beyond, with sensei Dalson Seanego saying the tournament provided an opportunity for the club’s athletes to test themselves against competitors from different clubs, while showcasing the progress they have made in training.
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Among the Marlboro club’s standout performers was six-year-old Lemiel Reddy, who won gold in kata and claimed third place in kumite. Seanego described Reddy as the star of Marlboro.
Ameer Wasim also put in a strong performance, finishing second in kata and third in kumite. He admitted that he felt nervous before competing, but ultimately enjoyed the experience. Wasim said the self-defence aspect of karate is what he enjoys most about the sport.
Zakiyaa Mohamed experienced an emotional competition. After losing her first-round bout, she returned to the competition and fought her way to a medal position.
“I was so happy and I started to cry at first because I lost the first round and then I went back and I won and I felt so happy,” said Zakiyaa. For her, karate is about more than winning medals. She added that it teaches self-defence and can be used to protect oneself from bullying.
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Other Marlboro athletes who performed well included Levi Sharmar, who finished third in his category, while his brother, Levelle, claimed second in kata and third in kumite in a lower category.
In the seven-to-eight-year-old boys category, Hale Patel finished third in kata, while Arwa Moosa and Zakiyaa Mohamed each secured third-place finishes in their respective categories. Rehan Wasim also claimed third place in kata in the 10-to-11-year-old boys category. Seanego said the results were encouraging for a club that has been active for just over 18 months.
The Midrand club also enjoyed success, with the Zulu brothers topping the charts with double gold medals. The Midrand female team kata also put in a strong showing, while several other competitors gave their best, regardless of whether or not they left with medals.
Seanego praised the athletes who took part and encouraged those who did not place to continue working towards their next competition. “Appreciation goes to the parents who support these kids both financially as well as emotionally,” said Seanego.
“The time they put in for the kids, and the assistance they provided at the tournament. Karate is not only a sport, but a life skill that every child needs to learn.”
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