History was made recently by a Fourways family at the Senior Karate National Championships in Secunda.
Sensei Stef Biagioni (51) and his sons Alessandro (16) and Silvio (24) took part in a team kata event, winning a gold medal at the championships – making it the first time winning a South African Championship.
Founder of the Fourways Martial Arts Academy, Stef said there has never been a father and son in a kata division that has won since re-admission to karate in 1992.The karate team kata consists of power, speed, balance and well-synchronised techniques requiring three athletes performing the same routine.
Stef said this is a big achievement not only for his sons, but for him as well as he should have bowed out from karate competitions 12 years ago. “I felt very blessed to be healthy enough to be a part of a team having both my sons share the same achievement and passion that karate has done for me and for their life since they both started karate.
“As a full-time karate professional, having two children in karate coaching them every day, training them to be the best they can be and being part of their success is what I hope for them will be very special in years to come.” Both sons have been in karate since the age of five.
Alessandro is a Grade 10 learner at Hoërskool Randburg, and Silvio is studying chiropractic at University of Johannesburg. Stef said the next step is the possible representation of South Africa and receive Protea colours on the international circuit.
“The WKF [World Karate Federation] World Championship in Dubai takes place in November this year. That would also be a first on an international stage for a 51-year-old to compete as well as having his sons in the same division representing the South African Protea karate team.”
