Durban North’s own Jenna-Lee Atkinson is fast becoming one of South Africa’s most promising young karate athletes, following an outstanding performance representing KwaZulu-Natal at the recent KSA Junior National Karate Championship.
Held at UKZN Westville from 20 to 22 March, the prestigious national event brought together the country’s top junior karateka. Competing in the Cadet 14–15-year division, Jenna-Lee delivered an exceptional showing across multiple disciplines. She secured a gold medal in Female Team Kata (14–17 years), a silver medal in Individual Kumite (Under 47kg), and a bronze medal in Individual Kata—an impressive medal haul that highlights her versatility and competitive edge.
Her father, Kevin Atkinson, expressed immense pride, stating that Jenna is a role model to other young girls and karatekas. He said: “I feel pride in the way that she has developed as a karateka and as a young woman over the many years doing what she enjoys. Karate is not just a sport to her; it’s a passion and a lifestyle.”
A Grade 9 learner at Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School in Durban North, Jenna-Lee trains in the Shotokan style under the guidance of Renshi Brando Pillay at the SKISA FCKA Dojo in Oceans Mall, Umhlanga. She is also mentored by Hanshi Sonny Pillay, President of Karate South Africa and founder of SKISA. With eight years of dedicated training behind her, her steady rise through the ranks is no surprise.
Jenna-Lee’s recent provincial success comes shortly after she represented South Africa on the international stage at the WKF K1 Youth League Championship in Fujairah, UAE, in February. Competing against 84 athletes in her Kumite division, she advanced to the third round and finished 21st—an admirable result in a tournament featuring competitors from 96 countries. She also competed in Individual Kata against a field of 82 athletes.
Building on this momentum, Jenna-Lee is currently representing South Africa once again at the WKF K1 Youth League event in Harare, Zimbabwe, where she is competing in both Kumite and Kata in the Cadet Girls 14–15-year category.
Adding to her growing list of achievements, Jenna-Lee has also qualified to represent Team South Africa at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. There, she will compete in Team Kata alongside her national teammates, marking another major milestone in her young career.
Her recent success at the national championships not only underscores her dedication and talent but also reinforces her status as a key athlete for KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa. As she continues to gain experience on both national and international stages, Jenna-Lee Atkinson is undoubtedly a name to watch in the world of karate.
