Durban Karate Club named as national champions

THE Durban University of Technology (DUT) Karate Club was named the 2023 University Sports South Africa (USSA) champions after finishing first from 12 universities in the USSA Karate Tournament held recently in East London.

The club members returned home with 18 medals after bagging six gold medals, six silver medals and six bronze medals. In 2022, they finished in third position, however, their performance this year was amazing. The team was more devoted and determined to raise the bar even higher, thus making history.

The following 11 players were selected to compete in the upcoming South African National tournament which will be held in East London. They include: Gugulethu Mngomezulu, Lindokuhle Mkhize, Lesedi Mphuthi, Bheki Mjoka, Nothando Jiyane, Sfundo Nene, Sihle Sibanyoni, Nkosingiphile Mabaso, Sandile Sangweni, Minenhle Ndleko and Zekhethelo Buthelezi.

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Sharing her excitement, Gugulethu Mngomezulu, DUT Karate coach and athlete, said, “We trained very hard. Our focus was on physical training and learning the basics of fighting techniques, with fighting psychology. This was fundamental for all fighters.”

She further explained that in preparation for the USSA tournament, they added another training session to the team’s schedule, causing them to have three training sessions per day.

“As a coach, my strategy was teaching everyone the basics and making them understand what karate is and how to do the techniques. I also worked with Sensei Themba Shibasi as he is my senior instructor who has mentored me to do my best. He also assisted me to understand that every member of the team has their own pace of adapting to things,” she added.

Mngomezulu, who was one of the selected players, shared that she started karate when she was six years old and that she has never looked back.

“I joined DUT karate when I was doing my first year in 2018, and the performances from there were amazing. I was honoured to be in a team that worked hard just like I do, and it has been a wonderful experience,” said Mngomezulu.

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The talented coach and athlete is happy to lead by example as in most sporting codes, it is rare to find a coach who is also a competitive athlete. She felt that it was amazing for her to be able to do both as people get to see her in action, using the same techniques that she teaches.

“As long as you commit and never give up on your vision, you are able to reach a level of becoming a champion. Just invest in yourself, and you will see success in anything,” advised Mngomezulu on how one can achieve beyond their potential.

Nondyebo Mgudu, DUT sport officer, admitted that she was extremely proud of what the team had achieved.

“Congratulations to the team – they have represented us well at a national Level. Their tenacity, discipline and hard work have earned them this victory, and we hope it is one that we can build on across sport codes at DUT,” said Mgudu.

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