Karate students from the Association of Shotokan Karate-Do South Africa (ASKDSA) have been applauded after demonstrating great skill at the International Shotokan Karate Federation South Africa (ISKFSA) National Tournament, held in Gezina, Pretoria, on 10 September.
Fourteen students under the ASKDSA participated in the tournament and bagged a total of 40 medals. John Mothi (7) won double gold for kata and kumite in the 6-7 years white to yellow belt category. Neharika Sukden (8) won gold for kata and bronze for Ippon kumite in the 8-9 years green to blue belt category while 11-year-old Shaylen Reddy won double gold for kumite and Ippon kumite in the 10‐11 years white to yellow belt category.
Mahin Pillay (11) won silver for kata in 10-11 years green to red category, Shannon Aricksamy (13) won gold for kata, silver for Ippon kumite and silver for kumite, Darius Narainsamy (12) won gold for Ippon and silver for kata in the 12‐13 years green to red belt category, Andrew Mothi won gold for kumite and silver for kata while Sivanasen Rasen won gold for kata and Ippon kumite as well as silver for kumite in the 14-15 years green to red belt category.
In the females 14‐15 years green to red category, Nikita Naicker (15) won gold for kata and Ippon kumite and silver for kumite while Thandokuhle Ngoma won gold for kumite, silver for kata and bronze for kumite. In the brown and black belt 14-15 years division, Tyheel Jagarath won silver for both kata and kumite while Sensei Navin Jagarath won gold for kumite and silver for kata in the veterans division. In the 14-15 years team kata event ASKDSA 1 comprising of Tyheel Jagarath, Sivanasen Rasen and Thandokuhle Ngoma claimed gold while ASKDSA 2 compromising of Shannon Aricksamy, Darius Narainsamy and Andrew Mothi won bronze. In the rotational Sanbon kumite, ASKDSA female team comprising of Thandokuhle Ngoma, Nikita Naicker and Sharday won gold; ASKDSA 1 compromising of Tyheel Jagarath, Sivanasen Rasen and Andrew Mothi won bronze while ASKDSA 2 compromising of Shannon Aricksamy, Darius Narainsamy and Suhan won silver.
President of ASKDSA, Sensei Dennis Kumarasamy said he was very proud of the achievements of all the students who competed, especially after a two-year break due to Covid-19. Former Protea athlete and coach, Sensei Vijay Govender said the atmosphere during the rotational sanbon kumite was exhilarating.
“Sensei Rodney Govender who received his intercontinental qualification for refereeing this year was excited to referee the rotational sanbon kumite events. The other referees who represented ASKDSA on the tatami was Sensei Navin Jagarath and Sensei Abigail Govender while Christabel Mothi represented as a table official. It was through hard work, dedication and sacrifices that the athletes were able to excel. We want to congratulate all the athletes and officials on their performance at the tournament. A special thank goes out to all the parents for their support and assistance,” said Govender.
To enrol your child for karate in the Phoenix area contact Sensei Vijay Govender on 074 488 5456.
