Nadia holds SA’s flag high
Albemarle resident showcases her talent at world karate championship in India.
She does her kata with clear precision and dedication and this leads Nadia Calore (15) to victory.
The young junior black belt, who is a member of the Nippon Tigers Shotokan Karate Club in Castleview, recently returned from Mumbai, India, where she competed as a member of the SA team in the 18th FSKA World Cup Shotokan Karate Championship hosted by the World Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Organisation.
Calore took part in three events, the u-23 (senior) team kata, the u-15 individual kata and the junior team kata.
She brought home three medals, a bronze for the senior team kata, a silver for the u-15 individual kata and a silver for the junior team kata.
Calore was also meant to compete in two other events, namely the mixed senior and the mixed junior kata, but due to scheduling conflicts she unfortunately missed those events.
The Albemarle resident and Jeppe High School for Girls grade 9 pupil competed in competitions throughout the year and was chosen by her sensei, Goran Stankovic and other instructors, to be part of the SA team.
“The training leading up to the event was quite hard,” Calore said.
“I was training six nights a week and most of the team training sessions took place in Lenasia.”
She is supported in her sporting endeavours by her parents Peter and Carmel, who are both extremely proud of her.
Calore also enjoys competing in swimming and athletics.
“My goal is to become an Olympic champion in karate and I’m aiming for the 2020 Olympics as they have just allowed karate into the games. I will be the perfect age – 19,” Calore said.
“My best friend, Kasey Walters and I both enjoy sports and I’d like to do karate at the Olympics. She wants to compete in athletics.”
When Calore is not working hard at her karate, she enjoys competing in swimming (all strokes) and is currently a Level Two.
When she has spare time, she likes to read and does homework, especially maths, as it is one of her favourite subjects.
When asked how she had enjoyed India, Calore said, “It was very hot but nice.
“The Taj Mahal was so beautiful and I got to ride on an elephant.
“I would definitely like to go back and see more of the country.”
For now though, Calore has set her sights on qualifying for the 19th FSKA World Cup Shotokan Karate Championship which will be held in London.
Other articles you may be interested in:
