Since taking up karate 10 years ago, Shaugne van der Watt’s passion for the sport has increased over time.
“I joined karate because I was a very hyperactive child and a friend’s mother told my mom how it would help me. I did a few classes and was hooked,” Shaugne recalled.
By the time he was 15 years old, he obtained his first dan black belt and competed in the Karate World Cup held in Japan last year. “I represented South Africa for my age group and took part in two categories, kumite and kata,” he explained.
Although he was eliminated in the first round of the kata division and lost the second fight in the kumite division, the experience was still one of his biggest achievements.
Shaugne said he had nearly achieved all his immediate goals in karate and was now aiming to obtain his full black belt.
He encouraged others to take up karate. “It teaches you discipline and if you need to, you can defend yourself,” he concluded.
