Over 160 Shotokan Karateka from East London, King William’s Town, Fort Beaufort, Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Despatch and Grahamstown participated in this year’s All-Shotokan Karate Championships.
Over 160 Shotokan Karateka from East London, King William’s Town, Fort Beaufort, Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Despatch and Grahamstown participated in this year’s All-Shotokan Karate Championships.
The Championship was hosted by East Cape Shotokan-Ryu (ECSR) and Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club, and was once again held in the Thomas Pringle Hall at the 1820 Settlers Monument.
The Championship was held across three arenas and saw karateka of all ages and grades participating.
The men’s black belt kata (forms) was won by Nolan De Maar (ECSR Grahamstown) while Mzwandile Matebese (Joza, Grahamstown) won the men’s black belt kumite (fighting).
Tayla Chidrawi (Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club) and Kayleigh Chamberlain (Western Suburbs Karate Cub, Port Elizabeth) were the respective winners of the women’s black belt kata and kumite categories.
The Championship was also the final opportunity for South African Shotokan Karate Academy (SASKA) members to qualify for the National Championships which will take place in Strand, Western Cape on 10 and 11 April.
Overall top honours went to ECSR, followed by Joza. ISKF East London placed third, with Makana Karate Club in fourth position.
Fifth spot went to Uitenhage/Despatch based SANSA.
Shotokan is one of the world’s largest Japanese karate styles and was founded by Gichin Funakoshi Sensei in the 1920s.
Elements and forms practiced within the style can however be traced back to 16th century Okinawa – the birthplace of karate-do.
For more information about Shotokan karate, contact Gary Grapentin at 073 346 0059 or at garyg@geenet.co.za. sport@grocotts.co.za
