JKA Benoni dojo crowns top achievers
The karateka were awarded for their performances at the South Africa JKA provinicials, nationals and the invitational tournament in Heidelberg.
Elsebe Koorsen and Gideon van Vollenstee have crowned sportswoman and sportsman of the year at the Benoni JKA Karate’s achievement awards at Northfield Methodist Church on December 10.
Described as determined and mentally tough by instructor Mike Forner, Koorsen collected five gold medals and one silver at the three tournaments she took part in this year.
She joined the dojo in October 2020 having already attained the rank of a purple belt from a different affiliation.
Feeling that something was missing in her skill set, she decided to start from scratch as a white belt to master the basics of the sport.
Unable to attend as many classes as she would like to due to work and personal reasons, she thrived under these circumstances. She’s back at the purple belt with a better understanding of karate.
“Elsebe is a very dedicated karateka, always trying to make training classes under difficult personal and working circumstances. I am proud to have her in our dojo,” Forner said.
Among some of her achievements is a gold medal in kata at the national JKA tournament in May.
Humble, respectful with an incredible thirst for knowledge, Van Vollenstee won four golds and two silver medals this year.
He started his classes last year after watching his son who had started two months earlier.
According to Forner, Van Vollenstee displayed an appropriate degree of strength and sharpness of execution in each technique across kihon, kata and kumite – progressing quickly through the early ranks until he attained his current rank of brown belt.
“Gideon is an all-rounder, also displaying excellent leadership qualities, and I am very proud to have him in our dojo.”
Among some of his exceptional performances is a gold medal in unison kata won at the SA JKA invitational tournament in Heidelberg in November.
The ceremony began with Van Vollenstee treating those in attendance with a song. The karateka then did some kata and self-defence demonstrations.
Winners of the year:
Dinkies
Girls
1. Eliana Tawonezvi
Boys
2. Liam Mundell
Juniors
Girls
1. Gabriella Sirmon and Kayla van Vollenstee (tie)
2. Dominique Sirmon
3. Zama Sithole
Boys
1. Xanthus van Vollenstee
2. Daegan Kurten and Joshua Dedekind (tie)
3. Nkanyiso Sithole
Seniors
Women
1. Elsebe Koorsen
2. Sheri-Lee Dedekind
3. Patricia Resch
Men
1. Gideon van Vollenstee
2. Brandon Prince
3. Kelvin Anderson
Special awards
• Elsebe Koorsen – sportswoman of the year
• Gideon van Vollenstee – sportsman of the year
• Patricia Resch – spirit and dedication award
• Brandon Prince – most improved senior
• Nkanyiso Sithole – most improved junior
• Dominique and Gabriella Sirmon – best attendance award
• Kearan McLaughlin – perseverance award
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