Buccleuch teenagers win nationals: prepare for 2025 karate championships in Wales
Teenage karateka, and friends, Jiya Soudamma and Tahir Naidoo, brought karate gold home to Buccleuch, straight from nationals, now they have their eyes set on black belts and the World Championships.
Two 15-year-old karateka from Buccleuch have returned victorious from the 2024 South African Ryukyu Martial Arts Federation national tournament, held in Kempton Park on September 28.
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The hard work of Pinnacle College Kyalami student Jiya Soudamma, and her friend Tahir Naidoo, who attends Reddam House Waterfall, paid off for the pair at nationals, where each won three gold medals.
Jiya and Tahir both took first place positions for their age and belt categories in kata, kumite, and team kata at the tournament.
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“Jiya and Tahir began their karate journey together at age 5 at the Shotokan Sunninghill Karate Club,” said Teesh Soudamma, celebrating the childhood friends’ accomplishments in karate.
Although currently ranked as brown belt karateka, Tahir and Jiya expect to advance in rank ahead of competing at the 2025 ICO World Championship in Wales next October.
“They are preparing to grade for black belts soon,” Soudamma concluded. “They have already embarked on rigorous training for the event and feel privileged to represent their club and country on the world stage.”
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