Martial arts runs in the Webster family

INTERNATIONAL gold medalist and veteran sensei Carl Webster is not only a well-known instructor in Wentworth, but also a karate dad whose passion for martial arts has rubbed off on his little ones.

READ: Martial arts champ chops her way to gold
Arianna, 10, and Carla Webster, 7, have already travelled beyond the confinements of their small community through the sport to compete at the Full Contact Martial Arts Association National Championship held in April this year.
Arianna, who started doing martial arts at the age of three, bagged four gold medals and the title of champion at the national tournament.

She received first place in weapons, forms, traditional contact sparring and unison forms.
“I enjoy this sport very much and winning is so rewarding, because it shows that our long hours of training have been worth it. However, I still think that I can do better and I want to do even better at our upcoming tournaments,” said a determined Arianna.

Her younger brother, Carla, who goes to Glenardle Junior Primary School, competed in two categories at the SA champs alongside other talented junior martial artists. “There were a lot of people there which made me a bit nervous, but I managed to get gold for weapon cutter and sparring as well as a silver for traditional cutter. I’m so happy and proud of my accomplishments,” he said.

Asked what it’s like to have a veteran sensei as a dad, the siblings said, “It’s so awesome. Sometimes we have private lessons so that we can be at the top of our game and others can learn from us. In a way, we have a competitive advantage which isn’t really fair, but it’s so cool.”

READ: Wentworth martial arts champ reaches greater heights

“They started at a very young age and martial arts has become an integral part of their development as human beings. As an instructor that is exactly what we teach, we don’t only teach them how to kick and punch but it is also about using skills and principles that they are taught during lessons in other aspects of life as well. They train on average about four to five times a week. That alone takes a lot of discipline especially in young children who would rather be playing with friends, out in the streets, on their phones or watching tv. It’s impressive to see their commitment to their training and how the love of the art overpowers distractions. I’m certain peer pressure doesn’t come into the equation because when I say we need to train they are there without fail. I’m very proud of them,” said Carl.

The siblings are both on their junior purple belts and can barely contain their excitement for the Kimura Shukokai International (KSI) South Africa tournament happening this month in Cape Town in which they hope to chop gold once again.

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