The Dan Triangle Club’s duo, Christopher Thela and Stephanie Watt returned from the recent KWF World Championships in Japan with smiles on their faces.
The karatekas brought home medals to make their Brakpan-based club proud.
Thela won a gold medal for kumite (fighting) in the masters’ category, while Watt returned with a bronze for the kata in the seniors’ section.
Watt could not hide her emotions after hearing the results of the kata.
“I cried when I got it because I thought I had lost already,” she said.
“As soon as they announced the winners, I started crying.”
This was the first time she had competed at the world championships despite having qualified a few times before.
“It was amazing. I felt incredibly grateful,” Watt told the Herald.
The plan is to compete at the tournament again in two years.
“I would love to go back again to Japan. It was amazing, so beautiful. I would love to go back there and compete in the next world champs in two years,” said Watt.
The sho dan also had praises for SA karate.
“I realise how high our standards in SA are for karate because we were up to date with the Japanese and saw that a South African can come with a medal, the same as Christopher, who got gold.
“It’s amazing that our club only had two members competing there, and we both brought home something,” she said.
Watt credited the Dan Triangle Club, run by sensei Chris Anthony.
“My club has a very high standard, seeing that we only had two people there and brought home medals. I felt very grateful for my training,” she said.
It was Thela’s second time winning gold at the world championships. His previous experience served him well because he knew what to expect on the biggest stage.
ALSO READ: Bokkoors loop hoog
“The thing is, when you are in that international space to showcase your talent, you need to be calm and not try to show off but rather observe and be serious,” he had told the Herald before the tournament.
The two-time gold medalist has had a big year because he also won the South African Championships earlier this year.
That win left him feeling confident before facing international opponents.
“I’m going there with confidence, and I think I will win it again. I’m just excited and looking forward to it,” Thela had said before leaving for Japan.
