With more than four decades of discipline, selflessness and dedication to karate behind her, Brookdale’s own Vijay Govender has reached the pinnacle of her sport, emerging as a WUKF World Karate Champion last month.
Govender sat down with Tabloid Newspapers to share her remarkable karate journey, which began when she was just five years old.
TN: Briefly share who you are, where you are from, and what you do?
VG: My name is Vijay Govender, and I am proudly from Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. I am married to Rodney Govender and have a 22 year old daughter, Abigail Govender who also practises karate. I am a 6th Dan karate practitioner, instructor, coach and international competitor, and I am really humbled about winning WUKF World Karate Championships in Romania 2026.
Karate has been a major part of my life for 47 years. Today, I have the privilege of not only competing but also teaching and mentoring the next generation of karate athletes. I am passionate about empowering women and young people through karate, discipline, confidence and self-defence.
TN: Talk us through your karate journey.
VG: I began karate when I was 5 years old under the leadership of my dad, Sensei Dennis Kumarasamy. What initially started as self-defence, developed into a lifelong passion and a way of life. I was inspired by the discipline, respect and character that karate demanded. I was particularly drawn to the fact that karate was not simply about fighting but it teaches you self-control, overcoming challenges, respecting others and constantly striving to become better. My journey has included training and developing through ISKF South Africa under Sensei San Pillay, with my karate roots strongly connected to the ASKDSA community in Phoenix and surrounding areas. Over the years, I have trained under different Japanese instructors and I continue to develop through training seminars, competitions and international exposure.
My journey has evolved from being a student, to becoming a competitor, an instructor, then a coach, leader and now a mentor and role model. Today, I am fortunate to be able to give back to the same art and to my community.
TN: When did you enter your first competition, and how did you perform?
VG: I entered my first karate competition when I was 5 years old and won my first medal. I can’t remember my feelings before the competition but I do remember the excitement of having the medal around my neck. My first competition must have been a fun event as it was about participation.
Every competition thereafter became another opportunity to learn and develop myself. Some days you win, some days you lose, but every experience contributes to the athlete and person you eventually become.
TN: Tell us about the recent WUKF World Karate Championships and winning alongside your sister.
VG: The 14th WUKF World Karate Championships in Cluj, Romania, was incredibly special for me. I competed in 5 categories, winning in 4 – 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze. Although becoming a World Champion in Sanbon Kumite at the 13th WUKF World Karate Championships in Sweden in 2025 was a dream fulfilled, now becoming a World Champion in Kobudo Short Weapons at the 14th World Karate Championships in Romania in 2026 was a phenomenal achievement for me because it was my first time competing for this discipline on an international level.
It was my first international competition together with my younger sister, Mishelle Govender which made it even more memorable and meaningful. The most exciting moment was when my sister won the first medal on the first day of competition. She also excelled in all her events by winning three silver and one bronze medal.
To stand alongside my sister on an international stage, representing South Africa and our home community of Phoenix, was an incredibly proud and emotional moment. We have trained, supported and encouraged each other, so seeing both of us achieve success at a World Championships was something very special. It was not simply about the medals. It was about the years of sacrifice, family support, training and belief that brought us to that moment.
We also wanted the athletes from our community to know that they can dream big, work hard, compete with the best in the world and still emerge victorious.
TN: What is your secret to maintaining such good performances in competition?
VG: There is no single secret. I believe it is a combination of discipline, sacrifices, consistency, preparation, experience and a positive mindset. At this stage of my journey, I understand my body and my mind much better. Training is not about simply doing more; it is about training intelligently, staying consistent and understanding what my body needs.
I also believe strongly in preparation. When you step onto the competition floor, you should know that you have done everything possible to prepare yourself. Mental strength is equally important as physical strength. I remind myself that I cannot control my opponent, the judges or the outcome but I can only control my preparation, my attitude and my performance. I still love competing, setting new goals and inspiring the next generation. As long as I have the passion to train, improve and learn, I believe I can continue challenging myself.
TN: What is the next karate goal for the remainder of 2026?
VG: My biggest goal for the remainder of 2026 is to continue training and developing as an athlete and coach. After the WUKF World Championships, I am not looking at the medals as the end of the journey. They are the motivation to keep working hard and to continue to maintain my levels of training and development. There are still competitions, training programmes, coaching commitments and development opportunities ahead. I also want to continue helping my students and instructors to prepare for their own competitions and goals. At the same time, I want to focus on maintaining my fitness, improving my new passion for Kobudo and karate techniques, and preparing myself for the next international challenge.
My philosophy is simple: Never become comfortable with yesterday’s achievement. There is always another level to reach at different stages of your life.
TN: Outside the dojo, what do you do in your spare time?
VG: Outside karate, I value my family, my faith in God and community. I enjoy spending time with my family and supporting the people around me. I also love music and singing, my faith and church are important parts of my life. I also love drawing, swimming, playing netball and volleyball.
I’m very passionate about working with children and young people with disabilities as well. Seeing these athletes develop confidence, discipline and self-belief is incredibly rewarding for me.
Karate may be a huge part of my life, but I believe balance is important. My family, faith, music, friendships and community all contribute to the person I am. Ultimately, I want my journey to be about more than medals. I want to inspire, mentor and create opportunities for others, particularly young people and women, so that they can discover their own strength and believe in what they are capable of achieving. Anything is possible if you just believe and have faith.
