AFCKO celebrates Women’s Month
African Full Contact Karate Organisation (AFCKO) started the Women’ Month with a bang, hosting the sixth AFCKO Women Novice kata and kumite tournament at the Sam Ntuli Sport Complex, Thokoza, on August 3.
Sensei Mbali Msomi of IKKF-Thokoza Dojo was the host. The following dojos participated in the tournament: Alafang, Abram Hlophe, Zakhariya Park, Sijabulile, Mpontsheng, Alexander, Dawn Park, Vosloorus, New Castle (KwaZulu-Natal) , Manzini (Eswatini) and North West University.
The tournament started with kata category under the watchful eye of shihan Mawashi Zilimbola.
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He said, he was impressed with the standard of kata performances in the country, and encourage many instructors to teach katas in their dojos since it is the basic format of karate.
Siyabonga Zondo (11), yellow belt from IKKF Newcastle dojo, surprised many senior instructors with his proper execution of kata techniques.
AFCKO founder Thulani Sibisi said: “The boy has the talent that needs to be nurtured. He needs to be given support until he participates at international kata tournaments,” he said.
Some of the winners in different kata categories are as follow:
White belt and orange belt kata category.
• Ayanda Mbatha-Alafang Dojo
•Thato Mapuru-Alafang Dojo
• Ofentse Ntsoele-North West University Dojo
Blue belt and yellow belt kata category
• Siyabonga Zondo-Newcastle Dojo
• Thando Masha-Mpontsheng Dojo
• Katleho Thubela-Abram Hlophe Dojo
Green belt and Brown belt Category
• Siyabonga Pitso-Mpontsheng Dojo
• Lidith Moropane-North West University
• Lillian Mananyetjo-Mpontsheng Dojo
Sibisi was impressed with the number of woman who took part in this year’s Women’s Month event.
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Sensei Sasa Sithole officiated at the tournament. Using her expertise as former woman lightweight champion, she was asked to be a centre judge in the finals.
Sibisi encourages all full-contact karate clubs to empower women in terms of capacity building.
“This month, which is a Women’s Month, women should be given an opportunity to be trainers in their dojos. We have talented women who are willing to stand toe-to-toe with challenges of life,” Sibisi added.
The winners in kumite fighting category are as follow:
Ladies u-50kg winners:
• Tania Sithole-Mpontsheng Dojo
• Ayanda Mathebula-Alexander Dojo
• Mbali Khumalo-Alexander Dojo
Ladies u-30kg winners
• Mpho Molefe-Abram Hlophe Dojo
•Ntokozo Zwane-Abram Hlophe Dojo
• Nyakalo Mohomane-Manzine Dojo
The next AFKCO novice event is scheduled for Sebokeng Soul Tsotetsi Sports Complex on September 7.
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