Young karatekas impress with medals and relentless dedication
Kofukan South Africa is celebrating Oratilwe Mokwena and Lethabo Maloka after the promising karatekas delivered medal-winning performances at the Warriors Challenge.
The Kofukan South Africa Karate Team has continued its tradition of recognising dedicated and improving karatekas by awarding monthly floating trophies to its karatekas of the month.
This month, the team celebrates Oratilwe Mokwena as one of the most dedicated karatekas in the dojo.
“Watching him strive for perfection on a daily basis when he is training is really inspiring.
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Mokwena grasps things very easily and also puts in the effort to perfect his techniques. I like his concentration span when he is training. He always wants to be the best in the dojo.
Photos: Supplied
“Something that is inspiring about him is that he travels all the way from Dobsonville during his training days and he hardly skips training,” Sensei Thabo Molubi of the Kofukan South Africa Karate Team said.
He added that he was also impressed by Mokwena’s performance at the Warriors Challenge tournament, which he recently took part in.
This was Mokwena’s second tournament since starting karate this year.
“He managed to win a gold medal in his kata division, defeating his dojo teammate in the finals. He went on to win a silver medal in his kumite division and was defeated by the same dojo teammate that he beat in the kata division.
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“I am optimistic about Mokwena’s future in karate, and I can just see him becoming one of our future Protea athletes who will represent South Africa in the future.”
Mokwena is winning the trophy for the fifth time in a row, having been named karateka of the month for five consecutive months.
The second nominee who scooped a karateka of the month trophy is the team’s rising star, Lethabo Maloka.
Maloka has been with the team for nearly two years.
“Each time he takes to the tatami, I get goosebumps as an instructor. At his young age, nothing stops him when he fights on the tatami. He is fearless and really enjoys his kumite.
“He is dominant in kata but enjoys kumite more. Maloka dominated his kumite division recently at the Warriors Challenge tournament and won a gold medal, defeating his dojo teammate, Mokwena, in the finals.
“I am extremely happy with this pair as they are the same age and are also competing in the same age categories for kata and kumite.”
“It is really impressive to see youngsters with such talent inspiring future generations. Special thanks also go to the parents, who are super supportive towards these youngsters.
“There are other karatekas who are worthy of being selected as karatekas of the month, as the competition intensifies on a monthly basis, and I am sure they will push harder to be nominated as well.
“I am extremely happy with the talent that we have in the dojo with all our karatekas and also their pursuit of always wanting to be on top.”
For enrolments, parents can contact Molubi on 079 921 3600.
