Now in its third year, the South African Shotokan Karate Academy (Saska) East Coast Karate Open (Secko) Championships has gained the reputation of being the most exciting, competitive and professional karate event in the Eastern Cape.
Now in its third year, the South African Shotokan Karate Academy (Saska) East Coast Karate Open (Secko) Championships has gained the reputation of being the most exciting, competitive and professional karate event in the Eastern Cape.
The championship, organised by Gary Grapentin – head instructor of the Saska East Coast affiliated East Cape Shotokan-Ryu, is well supported by competitors and spectators from across the province and is open to karateka of all styles, ages and grades.
This year’s championship, to be held on 29 August at the Fish River Sun Hotel and Country Club Resort, is expected to attract at least three hundred competitors from more than twenty clubs.
Other provinces have not been excluded from the championship and invitations have also been extended to instructors beyond the borders of the Eastern Cape.
In South Africa, karate is one of the largest sporting disciplines, and transcends economic, cultural and racial barriers.
The 2009 Secko championships will see male and female competitors ranging in age from 6 to 70 competing in various age categories catering for novice, intermediate and advanced levels.
The disciplines offered include kata, which is the performance of a series of predetermined movements executed in a particular order and kumite, the fighting aspect of karate which can take the form of individual or team matches.
The hosts and main sponsor of the event, the Fish River Sun Hotel and Country Club Resort, have once again provided a perfect venue.
In order to ensure a greater level of safety for the participants, and in adding to the visual spectacle of the championships, all categories will be held on international-standard karate mats and the competition arenas enhanced by direct overhead lighting. Spectators will be able to enjoy an excellent view of the action.
