Jyothi Balasar is a junior black belt student at the JKA Karate Academy. She has been doing karate for four years, starting in grade 7. She started karate to make her late grandfather proud, but also to protect herself in situations where no one else can.
On March 13, she attended the Northern KZN JKA Championships at the Newcastle Recreation Centre, where she won a silver medal for kumite. Kumite is contact fighting. She was selected for the NKZN team to go to Pinetown for the provincial championship.
On April 30, the KZN JKA Provincial Championship took place at St Mary’s in Pinetown. Jyothi won two bronze medals: one for kumite and one for kata which is a series of karate moves that tell a story. She was chosen for the KZN team that would participate in the South African Championships in Johannesburg.
On May 31 she had to face really tough competition from the best of South Africa’s karate athletes. Unfortunately, Jyothi did not get a place in the top three but everyone is very proud of her achievements and Sarel believes that in future she will be a force to be reckoned with. “I recommend that kids from the age of six and above should take part in karate as it teaches them discipline, self-control, respect and to have dedication to the sport, as well as the school. It also keeps them fit to make sure they are prepared for everyday life,” Jyothi said. She thanked all who have supported her karate career.
