Bluff karatekas kick it up a gear

THREE Bluff karatekas kicked their way into top positions at the Indian Ocean Goodwill Games in Mauritius last month.

Bluff kumas, Tyron Jonker, Wayde Baker and Damian Wheeler of Funakoshi Karate participated as part of the KSA team in the international tournament from 9 to 15 October.

In the cadet boys aged 14 to 15, Jonker came first in individual kumite, first inr team kumite, second in team kata. The 15-year-old grade 10 pupil, who has been doing karate since the age of six, was excited about his achievements. “With each tour, I am improving,” he said.

Kenmont’s Baker competed in the boys 12 to 13 year category and placed second in individual kumite, first in team kumite and second in team kata. “The competition was very tough, but I met a lot of new friends. I am very proud of myself for achieving this,” said Baker.

Finally, 11-year-old Wheeler, who goes to Bushlands Primary School, came third in individual kumite, third in individual kata, first in team kumite and second in team kata in the boys 10 to 11 age group. He has only been doing karate for two-and-a-half years, so is proud of his achievements.

Earlier in the year, Baker and Wheeler joined Vidhanth Bheemsan and Verusha Govender in achieving their KZN development colours. The duo then went on to compete in the Karate South Africa (KSA) development tournament in August, with Baker coming second in the boys 12 to 13 years Kumite and Wheeler placing second in kata and third for kumite in the boys 10 to 11 age group.

“I am very proud of the karateka’s achievements. They have grown so much over the past few years and it is so nice to see the results of their hard work. We, as senseis can only do so much and the rest is up to them – I always tell them what you put in is what you get out,” said Sensei Lee-Ann Jonker.