AFCKO athletes celebrate tournament victory
“These results show that the commitment we put into training pays off at the competition.”
African Full Contact Karate Organisation (AFCKO) performed well at the kata and Kumite competition held by the Gauteng Kyokushin-kan Karate Associations at Vosloorus Church Hall on September 10.
At least nine athletes secured first position, followed by four who came second, and three who finished third.
The Thokoza team was competing against other teams from Katlehong, Mamelodi, Sebokeng, Lenasia Soweto, Duduza, New Castle, Tsakani and the southern suburbs, with more than 480 students attending the event.
In the fighting category, athlete Ntlakanipho Motaung obtained position one in the U15-16 70kg and position three in the kata U15 green belt.
He said this is his third tournament this year and it turned out to be the best competition.
“The previous tournaments did not go well. I approached this one with a never give up mindset. I am happy because I won the best fighter title. My father and teammates pushed me really hard,” said Motaung.
Another athlete who showed up is Siyabonga Pitso who won the U60kg Young Lions category and came second for the kata in the U17 brown belt category.
Pitso said the tournament was very hard for him but because of the encouragement they always get from shihan he remained positive.
He started karate six years ago, and the recent tournament was his fourth one this year. He lost two fights at Thokoza Auditorium and Durban IKO Matsushima.
According to Pitso, he wants to open a home for orphans and the deaf where he will teach them karate.
Founder of AFCKO, shihan Thulane Sibisi, said he is pleased with the performance of their athletes.
“These results show that the commitment we put into training pays off. The support we get from parents is wonderful. We have the role to play in our communities to encourage the youth to be pro-active in all sporting code so they can have role models,” said Sibisi.
“I would like to thank Thabiso Tenyane for continuing to support AFCKO karate team, your assistance is much appreciated by the students and the parents in our sports program.”
Katas
Lesego Mahumane: first U11 white belt
Athile Dhlamini: second U11 white belt
Phumlani Dhlamini: first U 9 white belt
Lesedi Mazibuko: second U9 orange belt
Ziyanda Zikode: third U9 orange belt
Bandile Mavimbela: first U11 green belt
Siyabonga Pitso: second U17 brown belt
Ntlakanipho Motaung: third U15 green belt
Kumite
Nonhle Sibeko: first U9-10 35kg
Phumlani Buthelezi: first U10-11
Vunene Baloyi: first U15-16 50kg
Ntlakanipho Motaung: first U15-16 70kg
Siyabonga Pitso: first Young Lions U60kg.
Pholoso Mofokeng second Young Lions U60kg.
Khensane Baloyi: first girls U55kg.
AFCKO is requesting sanitary towels donations to help a girl child to participate in karate as a sport. To donate, contact Sibisi on 083 599 5916 or thulane2005@gmail.com
