Eight-year-old ‘Karate Diva’ from Spruitview crowned champ
She was seven when she participated in the WUKF tournament.
Eight-year-old karate student Thandolwami Reuel Mashele of Ndobe Avenue, Spruitview, was crowned the national champion at the World Union Karate Federation (WUKF) tournament in Gqeberha between March 31 and April 2.
Mashele holds an orange belt. She competed in three categories and won a silver medal for kata, a choreographed martial arts movement demonstrated alone, and a gold medal for kumite karate fight, which marked her as a national champion in her division.
She competed against five older boys in the kobud category because girl opponents for the U10 division were unavailable.
Mashele trains under sensei Marius Madgwick at Goju Karate Academy (GKA) in Parkrand.
Her proud mother, Tumelo, attended the tournament to support the ‘Karate Diva’.
She said she gave her the nickname Karate Diva because, although she is a karate kid, she is a girly girl who loves make-up, high heels, pink and purple.
Tumelo said Mashele was not influenced to do karate. She asked if she could join in 2021 when she was six and has not looked back since.
She wanted to do karate because she thought it looked interesting. Once she was in it, she could not stop, and now shes progressing, Tumelo shared.
She always says she wants to protect her siblings. Now, our three-year-old son has joined karate because his sister inspired him.
Mashele was seven when she participated in the WUKF tournament. She celebrated her eighth birthday on April 17.
The fifth dan Madgwick praised the eight-year-old, noting that she had worked hard and would represent Goshukan Karate South Africa at the 11th WUKF World Championship in Dundee, Scotland, in July.
We are extremely proud of Mashele and look forward to seeing her compete on the international stage, said Madgwick in a statement.
