East Cape Shotokan-Ryu (Grahamstown, Port Alfred, Fort Beaufort and Adelaide) was the winning dojo at the Shotokan Karate Academy (Saska) National Championships held over the past weekend.
East Cape Shotokan-Ryu (Grahamstown, Port Alfred, Fort Beaufort and Adelaide) was the winning dojo at the Shotokan Karate Academy (Saska) National Championships held over the past weekend.
Over 50 karateka from Grahamstown, made up of members from the Albany Karate Academy and the Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club, formed part of the winning East Cape Shotokan-Ryu Team.
The national champs, which included individual and team events, took place at the Fish River Sun, about 25km from Port Alfred on the East London road.The weekend’s events were concluded with the annual Saska Sea Gasshuku (outdoor training) which also took place at the Fish River Sun Hotel in near perfect weather. A record number of 185 karateka participated.
The newly formed Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club was placed 8th overall at the champs. Albany produced 12 Saska national champions with Rhodes producing a further five. Head instructor for East Cape Shotokan-Ryu and Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club, Sensei Gary Grapentin said that the results achieved “are a tribute to the enthusiasm and commitment of both our karateka and instructors”.
He added that East Cape Shotokan-Ryu and Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club have at least 10 black belt instructors who are involved with training on a regular basis.The results from the Saska National Karate Championships which were achieved by the Albany Karate Academy and Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club are:
Albany Karate Academy:
Kata (forms)
Gold: Milagre Lang, Cam Van Aken, Melece Doba, Ged Lotter and Mel Ackerman.
Silver: Carla Wilby Alex Holland, Thomas Holland, Maceo Toich and Phillip Snyman.
Bronze: Theresa Mennega, Lendre Vos, Nolan De Maar and Zoe Lang.
Bronze Unison Kata: Ben Kirkaldy, Ella Wilby and Carla Wilby.
Kumite (fighting)
Gold: Zac Evanson, Melece Doba, Maceo Toich, Nolan De Maar, Dylan Fouche and Mel Ackerman.
Silver: Bongi Mbangeli and Theresa Mennega.
Bronze: Anthoni Du Preez, Leanre Vos and Mzwandile Matebese.
Team Kumite
Gold: Bongi Mbangeli.
Silver: Ged Lotter and Dylan Fouche.
Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club:
Kata
Gold: Maureen De Jager, Kevin Aitchison, Simone Heymans and Bronwen Salton
Silver: Christine Van der Merwe, Alan Kirkaldy
Bronze: Richard Wagener and Whitney Turner
Kumite
Gold: Bronwen Salton,
Silver: Kevin Aitchison and Whitney Turner
Bronze: Maureen De Jager, Richard Wagener
Team Kumite
Silver: Maureen De Jager, Whitney Turner and Bronwen Salton
