Dojo students bag 17 medals

The team competed at the Karate South Africa national all-styles karate championships, held in Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal recently.

March 17, 2021

Charmaine Slater 1 minute read

The boys' unison kata team consisting of Connor Hundermark, Tyler Kabali-Kagwa and Phumelele Ngwenya, were crowned national champions.

Fifteen members of the Goju Kai St Andrews and Goju Kai Founders Hill dojos, under the tutelage of sensei Russell Sim, were selected to represent the Gauteng provincial all styles karate team.

The team competed at the Karate South Africa National All Styles Karate Championships, held in Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal recently. “The KSA nationals were run under strict Covid-19 protocols approved by the Department of Health and SAPS,” said Sim.

He added that it was difficult for the athletes to prepare for the event. “All dojos had to train using social distancing and non-touch training is still enforced in the dojos. “Students are committed to the fitness and drills training and it benefited them immensely in the tournament,” he said.

Sim added that Goju Kai students won a total of 17 medals, five of which were gold and six apiece bronze and silver. “Our boys’ unison kata team, consisting of Connor Hundermark, Tyler Kabali-Kagwa and Phumelele Ngwenya, were crowned national champions.”

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The boys participated in the seven-13 years team kata division and finished in first place. “The most outstanding performance at the event was by Gabriella Toweel, who won two national titles.”

She won the girls 10-11 years kata and kumite divisions. This makes her the grand champion in the 10-11 girls division.

“It was truly an outstanding weekend for our dojo.” Marco Botha, Suzaan Botha and Mikayla Alves each received a bronze medal for kumite.

Chloe Keartland won a silver medal for kumite, while Gabriella Toweel walked away with gold medals for kata and kumite. Darshan Govender won silver medals for kata and kumite and Connor Hundermark walked away with a gold medal for team kata and a bronze medal for kata.

Devin Bourbon was awarded a bronze medal for kata while Phumelele Ngwenya received a gold medal for team kata. Matthew Soares walked away with a silver medal for kata while Connor Falls received his silver medal for kumite. Tyler Kabali-Kagwa was awarded a gold medal for team kata, a silver medal for kata and a bronze medal for kumite.