Sempai Retang (11) is happy to shield others from bullies
Young female karateka Retang Madia says she joined karate because she doesn't want to be bullied and wants to help children who are the victims of bullies.
POLOKWANE – Young female karateka, Retang Madia is happy to have achieved her dream at an early age.
The 11-year-old is one of the youngest sempais in the province, having achieved this feat earlier this year.
Retang, a member of the Oyama School of Karate in Seshego took up karate in 2019 just before her seventh birthday, and has been there ever since.
Her love for karate was so strong that she wished to become a sempai before bragging with a white belt.
In the same year, she came third in a kata competition, and graded orange belt too.
The lockdown however delayed her progress somewhat, she told BONUS, but in 2021 after a visit by a female instructor, sensei Masedisa, she was more than determined to become the youngest female sempai in the dojo.
She said her karate feat had stood her in good stead too.
“One day at school, I was sitting with a learner who was a victim of a bully. But when the bully saw she was sitting with me, a karate student, the bully left.”
Retang says she joined karate because she doesn’t want to be bullied, and wants to help children who are the victims of bullies.
“Karate makes me proud because I can defend myself, and other children. I also learned compassion and discipline in karate.”
The next grade to look out for is her black belt grading.
“My focus is on preparing for the 2024/25 black belt grading which will be done in KwaZulu Natal or the Western Cape under Kyokushinkan South Africa.”
Peter Malatji, sempai at the Oyama School of Karate says they work on her confidence and determination as training intensifies, so she can attend her next grading without any fears.
