Young karateka Cassidy Jones makes top 8 at SA JKA Gauteng Champs
With a passion for karate ignited since the age of four, Cassidy Jones rises to the top of her game, ranking top 8 in the Junior Elite Ladies Brown/Black divisions.
Eleven-year-old Cassidy Jones from Crawford International Sandton recently ranked among the top 8 competitors in the challenging Junior Elite Ladies Brown/Black Kata and Kumite categories.
Cassidy achieved this at the prestigious SA JKA Gauteng Champs competition, where she showcased her skills and determination, earning a silver medal in both kata and kumite.
Having started her martial arts journey at the tender age of four, Cassidy’s passion for karate has only deepened over the years.
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“My parents believed that karate would teach us important life skills, such as discipline, focus, and self-defence. They were right. It has helped me grow stronger, more confident, and more determined.”
Cassidy said preparing for such a high-level competition was no easy feat. “Mentally, I reminded myself that I’ve worked hard and that I belong there. I try to stay calm, focused, and believe in my training. I trained five times a week, had one-on-one sessions with my sensei, and did extra strength and conditioning classes to improve my fitness and power.”
When asked about her favourite moment in the competition, Cassidy said, “It was showing off my kata, especially the strong, powerful moves I’ve been working hard to perfect. It felt amazing to perform them with confidence in front of the judges.”
Also read: Jamie Bolon takes gold and bronze at Gauteng JKA Karate Championships
However, Cassidy’s journey has not been without challenges. “One of my biggest challenges has been gaining power in my movements because I’m smaller than a lot of my competitors.”
But with perseverance and guidance from her sensei, she has learned to leverage technique and timing to her advantage.
Looking towards the future, Cassidy has ambitious goals. “I want to become stronger and more confident in free fighting (kumite), and one day I’d love to compete internationally. It would be a dream to represent my country and show the world what I’ve trained for.”
Outside the dojo, Cassidy enjoys swimming, playing soccer with friends, and catching up on her favourite video games. Yet, her heart remains in martial arts, inspired by her role model, her sensei Dawie.
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“He’s incredibly passionate about karate and always makes time to help his students. He pushes me to reach my full potential and reminds me that hard work always pays off.”
For young aspirants eager to follow in her footsteps, Cassidy encourages: “Go for it. Karate helps you build discipline, strength, confidence, and self-defence skills, and it’s also a lot of fun.
“Focus on mastering the basics, keep showing up, and you’ll be amazed at how far you can go. Believe in yourself and never give up.”
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