Over 70 members of karate clubs mostly in the Makana area came to the Joza Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday to compete in the Joza Karate Club's second championship competition.
The various events held throughout the day saw about 50 of the participants coming from Grahamstown township clubs.
Over 70 members of karate clubs mostly in the Makana area came to the Joza Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday to compete in the Joza Karate Club's second championship competition.
The various events held throughout the day saw about 50 of the participants coming from Grahamstown township clubs.
Joza Karate Club instructor Mzwandile Matebese (2nd Dan) commented that “the event was very successful and well organised,” adding that most of the categories had been highly competitive.
The objective of the event was to develop the sport of karate in the township, Matebese said, and he believes this goal was achieved judging by the number of participants.
Matebese thanked all those involved in organising the event, as well as those who made it a successful one. Rhodes University provided the champs with Tatami mats and officials and Makana Municipality sponsored the event.
Matebese also thanked Sensei Gary Grapentin (5th Dan) and head instructor at East Cape Shotokan-Ryu (ECSR) “for supporting the event from the beginning till the end”.
Meanwhile, karateka from the township clubs will be grading on Wednesday 20 June at the Extension 9 community hall from 5.10pm until 8pm. Grapentin will be conducting the gradings.
On the medal count, Joza Karate Club finished tops with 34 medals, followed by ECSR with 31 medals, Makana was third with 24 medals and Fingo won one medal.
See all the medal winners on page 31.
