Edenvale karate students represent SA
“I feel excited about the tournament because it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Edenvale Karate students Kreshay Ramjith and Yakshay Sewnarian took to the international stage when they competed at the WUKF World Karate Championships.
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The 12-year-old karateka represented SA and South African Shotokan Karate Academy after they were selected for the 10th instalment of the World Union of Karate-Do Federations championships held from July 2 to 7 in Florida, America.
The two yellow belts qualified for the championships at trials held at Pretoria West at the end of January.
Before Ramjith and Sewnarian left SA to compete the Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS met with the excited duo and sensei Raveen Dayaram from Lotus Karate Club.
“I feel excited about the tournament because it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Ramjith.
For Sewnarian visiting Florida was a big dream.
“There are a lot of things to do there,” he said.
“Like Kreshay said it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I am a bit nervous but at the same time I am excited.”
Sewnarian said he felt prepared for kata, however, less so for kumite.
“You don’t know what could happen, 10 seconds into a fight you could get hit in the face and not be able to do anything.”
Although Ramjith and Sewnarian hope to excel in the championships they said stepping onto the mat, competing and representing SA would be an achievement on its own.
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Speaking about their passion for the sport, Ramjith said he first realised his interest after watching the Karate Kid movies.
“I went to a couple of dojos in the area but I didn’t like them and then my cousin Raveen started a dojo so I joined him.”
Sewnarian, who has always liked combat sports and martial arts, said after Ramjith, his cousin, joined sensei Dayaram he took up the sport too.
“It was only after the first karate tournament that I got really into it and I started training four hours a day,” said Sewnarian.
What Ramjith enjoys most about the sport is the excitement surrounding the grading.
“Karate also keeps you fit and healthy, through the sport I have lost a lot of weight.”
Like Ramjith, Sewnarian thoroughly enjoys competing in tournaments.
“When you step on the matt it’s like a shot of adrenaline, I like that feeling. Once you put your feet on the matt you know there is no going back.”
Dayaram said he was happy and excited that the pair were selected to represent the country.
“I am pleased to see the difference in their character and their personalities throughout this journey from the time we started.”
He said over time Ramjith’s and Sewnarian’s confidence has grown and they have learned how to control themselves better in situations.
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Dayaram said considering their age and what they have achieved since starting online classes, representing SA is a huge achievement.
Ramjith and Sewnarian also trained in Illiondale under Dayaram’s sensei Laurent Gaston Bellegarde.
Dayaram said after Sewnarian and Ramjith showed an interest in attending the championships, they entered the trials and were assessed by ninth Dan black belt Hanshi Koos Burger, sensei Bellegarde and sensei Nicholas Gaston Bellegarde.
Two weeks after being assessed, Sewnarian and Ramjith received their letters of acceptance.
Dayaram said to represent SA is one of the greatest honours in life.
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