Jared (10) heads for Karate World Champs
Sunningdale's Jared Atkinson will be competing in the Karate Wold Championships in Indonesia later this month.
TEN-YEAR-OLD Jared Atkinson will be travelling to Indonesia later this month to represent South Africa in the U12 division of the Karate World Championships. Atkinson along with thousands of other karateka students from 100 countries will be taking part in the event. He will be competing in two categories, kata and kumite.
Speaking to the Northglen News last week, the young Sunningdale resident said while he is nervous he is also excited and ready to compete.
“I am hoping to bring home the gold,” he added.
The Virginia Preparatory School pupil started training in karate at the tender age of five, after his father Kevin encouraged him to take up the focus-driven sport.
“My dad wanted me to learn to defend myself. I also believe the sport is special because it teaches you respect and discipline,” said Atkinson.
While the Grade 5 pupil currently only has a brown belt 2, he aspires to compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, when the sport will make its first appearance as an Olympic sport.
Atkinson has also inspired his five-year-old sister, Jenna-Lee who has followed in her brother’s footsteps and taken up the sport.
To raise funds for the expensive once-in-lifetime trip, Kevin ran the comrades marathon. A portion of the much-needed funds were also donated by the Round Table – Umhlanga 155.
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