The Spartans Karate Dojo had 23 athletes attend the Japan Karate Shoto National Championship, held at the Portuguese Hall in Johannesburg south.
Spartans’ Martin Venter said: “The competition was stiff, and we had to battle hard to be one of the top three clubs in South Africa. The athletes performed extremely well, bringing back 11 gold, 14 silver, and 11 bronze medals.”
Adam Al-Awadat won silver for kumite (fighting) and placed fifth for kata in the 10-year male divisions.
Uttam Thulsie won bronze for kumite in the 10-11 year male category and competed in the 10-11 year male and female kata division.
Jody Jansen competed in the 14-year female kumite and 14-year female kata event. She won gold and bronze, respectively, and competed in the team kata event.
Jordan Naryan competed in the 10-11 year male kumite, 10-11 year male kata, and team kata events, where he won gold for all.
Shivesh Jairam competed in the 14-15 year male kumite, 14-15 year male and female kata, and team kata events, where he won gold, bronze, and gold.
Abhay Harriparsad competed in the team kata event, where he won silver. He also competed in the 17-year male kata and 17-year male kumite divisions.
Enzo Pillay competed in the 18-39 year male kata and team kata events, winning bronze and silver.
Sensei Enzo Pillay said the dojo is producing athletes for the future, and the calibre of students that come out of the Spartans Dojo can rival anyone in the world.
He added: “Our students are not just good at karate. The lessons they learn prepare them for the rest of their lives.”
The students feel extremely proud of themselves, and their team knows what they have accomplished is due to their hard work. They are looking forward to bettering themselves for the future.