A pair of twin sisters emerged victorious as they were placed within the top three positions in their respective divisions at the second International E-Kata and Kobudo Championship.
The sisters, Alayka and Aria Francis, are students of the International Federation of Funakoshi Shotokan Karate South Africa (IFFSKSA) under the leadership of Hanshi Eric Govender – 8th Dan, President and Chief Instructor. The championship was hosted by Shihan Ayan Chakraborty from India who is an affiliated member of the IFFSK in India.
According to Govender, this championship has seen 24 countries and over 500 participants contend to be the best. The 11-year-old sisters started learning karate in 2017 at the Queensburgh Dojo as white belts with Govender, who is also their Dojo Sensei. Both girls in their spare time enjoy riding their bikes, reading, watching movies and practising karate. They said that their mentor and sensei Govender inspires them to perform at their best at all times. “Karate keeps us motivated and has helped us build our self-confidence in all other aspects of our lives. It also helps us keep our minds relaxed after a busy day,” said the twins who have now reached red belt.
Govender said that he was extremely proud of the girls. “I am very proud to see my students perform so well at a tournament of this magnitude, however, it’s more delighting to see how they have grown into the sport,” Govender said. Both girls are active members of the Champions Karate Academy, a division of the IFFSKSA, and also train with the IFFSKSA Head Coach, Sensei Malvin Govender, 5th Dan. The talented athletes have now set their sights on the next planned WUKF National Championship event scheduled to take place in the latter part of March 2022 in Port Elizabeth and the WUKF World Championship in July 2022, which will be hosted in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
For more information on attending martial arts classes, contact Hanshi Eric Govender on
083-777-0727 or email the IFFSK Secretary, Sensei Denver Moonsamy, on denver.moonsamy@gmail.com.
