POLOKWANE – Matshepo Mapiti is Limpopo All Styles Schools Karate Association (LASSKA) Pietersburg English Medium Primary School (PEMPS) dojo’s rising star.
The 12-year-old recently won trophies for best female kata and student of the day at the Limpopo Martial Arts Open Championship.
Matshepo started with karate in February after her interest in the sport was sparked by the movie, The Karate Kid.
She said once she started karate, her motivation went to beyond being able to simply participate in a sport to also being a means of defending herself should the need arise.
“I really enjoy it and that drives my passion. But, with the crime that’s happening in the country, I wanted to be able to defend myself without needing pepper spray or a gun,” she said.
She said her mom was somewhat apprehensive when she told her she wanted to take karate as a sport.
“She did not realise how good I am. She thought I would come home crying after competitions. When I went home with my medals after the competition, she was extremely happy. She was singing and dancing.”
Matshepo said karate has taught her never to be afraid of anything.
“I have had to face my fears by going up against people who have tried to intimidate me in competitions. It is at points like these that I mentally put myself in the Karate Kid’s shoes and believe that I can do anything I put my mind too.”
She says she has ambitions to become like her sensei, Annatjie de Jager, and one day donning a 6th dan black belt.
“I want to show other young girls, never to be intimated by boys or any situation, because they are just as capable as their male counterparts.”
