Two silver medals for young karateka

Karateka from the Krugersdorp Goju Ryu Karate Academy in Krugersdorp West bagged two silver medals at the Budo All Style Karate Championship in Pretoria recently.

Christo Burger trains under the supervision of Sensei Gi-Gi Albarran (a third Dan black belt).

“His journey to the top and competing against some of the country’s best is a testament to his dedication and hard work,” Gi-Gi said.

Christo said that he did not have enough time to prepare for the competition as he heard about it a week before it was held, however, he spent as much time as possible and all his energy practising with a punching bag at home.

“I relied on speed and striking quickly before my opponent could react. It gave me the chance to score more points effectively. Winning my second round made me happy. Standing next to all the other contestants and receiving our medals made all the hard work worthwhile. Sensei Gi-Gi was a big inspiration, showing me what the human body is capable of,” Christo expressed.

He added he has become much stronger and more confident because of karate and his instructors, especially Sensei Gi-Gi, who knows his limits.

To strike a balance between his training and other aspects of life, Christo said he has set times during the week for karate and he tries to always go no matter how bad his day is.

“It improves my mood, helps me focus, and takes my mind off school. The dojo is a place where I don’t have to worry about work and I can completely focus on what is in front of me,” he elaborated.

His advice to someone who just started karate or preparing for their first tournament is to settle one’s nerves and focus on the challenge at hand.

“Competitions can help push you to your limits and create room for growth. I want to get my black belt, that’s where karate starts. I’m always looking out for tournaments and competitions because I like to challenge myself,” Christo concluded.