Dundee Dojo duo compete at World Champs
Team South Africa did walk away with one gold, one silver and one bronze medal though, and had a top-eight placing in the senior men's kumite
Representing your country on an international stage is no mean feat, but Dundee Dojo can boast having two karatekas who did just that.
Sensei Trisha Rajkumar and Sensei Vishen Bhoonpershad both travelled to Limerick in Ireland to represent South Africa in the JKA World Championships 2017. 52 countries descended on Ireland to prove their worth and vie to be crowned karate champions.
While Sensei Vishen was part of the Men’s team, Sensei Trisha competed as part of the Women’s Kumite Team as well as individually. The Women’s Kumite Team, unfortunately, drew defending World Champions, Japan, in the first round and were knocked out. Trisha made it to the second round in the individual kumite and was eliminated by an Argentinean competitor.
Team South Africa did walk away with one gold, one silver and one bronze medal though, and had a top-eight placing in the senior men’s kumite.
Despite the tough level of competition that comes with competing against the best of the best, the championships was also a great learning curve.
“I absorbed as much as I could from the World. There are so many new techniques I’ve seen that I can’t wait to try at the next competition.”
Trisha also urged youngsters to work hard and remain dedicated if they wanted to one day represent their country.
“Don’t let anything in life define you as a person. Embrace every aspect of yourself because life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced.”
Apart from the karate aspect, Ireland also boasted a beauty which competitors got to take in when they weren’t taking down their opponents.
“We explored Ireland for a bit and visited a castle and the cliffs of Moher. The landscape is absolutely breathtaking and the country itself is so beautiful. The Miss Earth in me was amazed at how environmentally conscious the country is, with recycling bins around every corner.”
Trisha thanked everyone who supported her thus far and especially her parents for pushing her and giving her guidance to be the person she is today.
The next JKA World Championships will be held in Japan in 2020 and the Dundee Dojo will be hoping to have representation once again on an international stage.
