A KINGSWAY High School teacher, Ashlyn Pillay, 30, recently represented South Africa at the 13^th World Union of Karate-Do Federations Karate Championships in Malmö, Sweden.

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Pillay competed in the senior male open weight and 85kg+ Kumite, where he finished ninth and seventh respectively, and was a part of the senior male rotational team, which finished eighth. He is a third dan black belt and the reigning WUKF national champion.

“I have been involved in karate for 24 years. I first started in 2002 and currently teach children of all ages at a dojo in my hometown of Chatsworth and in Hillary. Since I was nine, I competed nationally and internationally and it has given me discipline and self-confidence, and has allowed me the opportunity to travel around the country and the world,” said Pillay.

He said that while he achieved a BTech in chemical engineering, the passion he developed for working with children in karate, coupled with his knowledge and love of science,  led him to pursue a career in education, teaching physical science. He has been teaching at Kingsway High School since the beginning of the year.

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