Isipingo’s great grandmaster defends title at world martial arts champs

At 80-years-old an Isipingo Beach great grandfather is still fighting fit. Kanchi (Japanese term, meaning great grandmaster) Allan Mohamed was the oldest competitor at the World Martial Arts Organisation (WMO) world championships held in Albufeira, Portugal from 26 to 28 September.

He also defended his title and returned with another gold medal in the veterans category. At just six-years-old, his granddaughter, Salaamah Mohamed was the youngest competitor at the champs where she won nine world titles.

Her father Dr Aslam Mohamed (38) is still the undefeated champ for the last 10 years. “The SA team won 83 world titles, a new record,” said Dr Mohamed, who is the president of kickboxing in Africa. This medal haul included 29 gold, 27 silver and 27 bronze.

Allan defeated a 60-year-old Canadian fighter to be crowned champ in his division. He was also awarded his 10th Dan black belt, the only one in SA and part of an illustrious group of only 35 worldwide.

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His wife Hawa, who is also a black belt and was the SA team’s manager for many years, unfortunately could not make this trip – the only time has not been at the world champs to support her family and the team.

“SA is doing well in martial arts. We have good fighters but unfortunately they have no money to afford the cost of going overseas to fight,” said Allan, who helps his fighters with fundraising.

Martial arts runs deep in his family’s blood – his daughter Sahbnumia is her style’s president and an SA champ. His 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren all do martial arts, if they are old enough.

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“I want to thank my wife Hawa. When we got married, she pushed me up and I wouldn’t be in this shape if it wasn’t for her,” said Allan.

Next on Kanchi’s list is the WMO world champs in Greece next year. “I won’t stop competing. I tried to stop but I got sick. I then tried training on my own but my body missed the blows from a competitor. The reason I still get in the ring is to inspire the youngsters. If they see me, an 80-year-old man, get into the ring, it will encourage them that they can also.”