Karate champs still have kick after 18 years
The 18th International Shotokan Development Karate Championship took place at Konka Adventure Village in Magaliesburg on August 23 and 24.
MAGALIESBURG – This championship was introduced 18 years ago by Sensei Willem Burger, Chief Instructor of Shotokan Namibia and Sensei Soon Pretorius of The Karate Academy of South Africa. Since then, the development championship has grown from strength to strength and is now one of the most successful development programmes in Southern Africa.
A relatively new addition to the development championships is the Shoto Cup which was introduced four years ago. Two teams compete against each other for the Shoto Cup Trophy. The teams are made up of various grades, ages, genders and countries. It is an intense, gruelling event and definitely one of the highlights of the development championships. Three countries participated in this year’s championship, namely Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. There were 320 entries and approximately 175 medals awarded to contestants. A total of 59 divisions were held which included kata, kumite, jiu ippon and sanbon kumite in the relevant age and grade divisions.
The sportsmanship witnessed at this year’s development championship was incredible. Competitors of all ages congratulated each other on wins and losses and it was heart-warming to see competitors form bonds and friendships, both on and off the tatamis, that will last for a long time.
Kihon Karate once again came out champs. Karateka excelled in their divisions and we came home with a total of eleven medals, once again proving that all the hard work and dedication pays off. With this outstanding achievement now behind them, the club is focusing on their intensive training programme for World Championships in Italy 2014, where five of our karateka are participating. If anyone can assist with sponsorships or donations towards this goal, please feel free to contact either Sensei Phillip Venter 072 123 4334 or Cheryl Moreby 083 325 8239.
