South Africa is World Champions
STANDERTON – Four karatekas from the Three Swords Dojo in Standerton took part in the fifth WJKA (World Japan Karate Association) world championship that took place from 19 to 21 June in Vlissingen, Netherlands. These four karatekas formed part of the 68 Shotokan karatekas that qualified to represent South Africa, which they did with pride and honor.
Fourteen countries competed for the sought after title of World Champions, a title that has bragging rights for two years. The countries were Austria, Belgium, Congo, Germany, India, Lithuania, Nigeria, Netherlands, Russia, Tunisia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the USA and of course, South Africa. South Africa obtained 19 gold medals, 29 silver medals and 20 bronze medals and was appointed the overall WJKA World Champions.
Several beach training sessions were held by the SA team, as well as a grueling gashuku (intense training) under Shihan’s Jan Knobel 9th Dan, John Turnbull 8th Dan and Kevin Thurlow 7th Dan. Even though the championship was held under traditional karate rules, which means that only mouth guards for competitors over 12 years are allowed, no serious injuries occurred. The occasional black eye and one or two knock-outs were treated, but these bruises were proudly displayed afterwards.
Reghard Burger, one of the junior competitors from Standerton, fought hard in the team kumite-division and was awarded a gold medal afterwards. Reney Raven took part in the veteran women’s division (35-years and older, black belt) and after some exhausting elimination heats, she landed in the final round and achieved a well-deserved fourth place. Melony Degenaar was all geared up to partake in the disability division, but as there was no contestants in her division, she was unable to compete. The instructor of the Standerton dojo, Jannie Degenaar was not only appointed as referee in the tournament, but also took part in the veteran’s division (40-years and older, black belt) and had to bow in the semifinal round and came home with a sixth place.
All the divisions were extremely large and the competition was run on a knock-out system, which means that if you lose once, you are out of the championship. A very tired, but grateful and happy group of Standerton karatekas returned to South Africa on Tuesday, 23 June. For more information, or to join this winning team, please contact Sensei Jannie on 082 6087 219.