The Northern KwaZulu-Natal JKA Provincial Championships were held on March 7, at the Farmers Hall in Newcastle.
In contention were 200 karateka representing 198 divisions, and a combined total of 375 entries from dojos in Newcastle, Dundee, Vryheid, Ladysmith, Paulpietersburg, Piet Retief, Hluhluwe and Volksrust.
While the tournament officials started their day at 7am, the competition opened at 9am.
Tournament director, head of the NKZN JKA region and JKA 4th Dan, Sensei Johan Swart, commented, “Without the competitors and the support of the parents, this event would not be possible.”
Sensei Swart also conveyed his gratitude to his team.
“The tournament would not be as successful as it is without the people in the background, and I would like to thank everyone assisting with tuck shop sales, the admin women and organisers, judge, referees, spectators and most especially Cara Burns, who slaved into the early hours of the mornings to get the draw sheets done. None of this would be possible without you all.”
Not only did the competitors battle it out fiercely in every category, but the nidans and above attempting their respective qualification exams had to prove they were capable of handling the pressure, while still being consistent and fair in their decisions.
The following senseis were awarded their National Judge qualifications:
Warren McCall – Hluhluwe
Charles Kemp – Newcastle
Sizwe Dladla – Newcastle
Chandini Singh – Newcastle
Anthony van der Watt – Volksrust.
The highlight of the day was the Elite Senior Open division. The winner in the female division for kata was Shani Mason from Newcastle, while the female kumite champion was Trisha Rajkumar from Dundee.
Vishen Bhoonpershad from Dundee won the men’s kata division and Mthunzi Mbatha (Newcastle) took gold in the men’s kumite.
“I would like to thank Sensei Ilan Bernstein, 6th Dan (rokudan) and the NKZN JKA Tournament Auditor from SA JKA, who instructed all judges and referees on the Friday before the event. Without SA JKA’s continued support and Sensei Ilan Bernstein’s input and guidance, tournaments such as these would be difficult to manage,” concluded Sensei Swart.
For more information on JKA karate, contact Sensei Bhoonpershad on 071 410 97 68 during office hours.
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