01 Jul 2015

A contingent of 40 International Ryushinkan Karate Federation Botswana karatekas is heading to Bloemfontein, South Africa, for the annual Africa championships.

The Ryushinkan International Karate Africa championship, which is on its 14th year, has been one of the leading tournaments on the styles’ sporting calendar and looked set to be more exciting because it would showcase some of the finest karatekas from as far as Ghana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and the hosts South Africa.

In an interview, Ryushinkan chief instructor, Sensei Isaiah Ramontshonyana said they started taking part in the tournament in 2010 and that the local athletes’ performance had been impressive. Sensei Ramontshonyana said their mandate was to develop young talent that would make the grade at international ranks.

Meanwhile, Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) president, Sensei David Mathe urged karatekas to build reputable characters and that medals would follow.  Sensei Mathe explained that karate, through its philosophy and practice, was the cultivation and development of an individuals’ character.

“The moment you become a karateka, you are already a winner and the most vital part is to shape your personality,” he said. He applauded the youthful leadership, adding it was a good effort by Ryushinkan in their bid to build young talent.

A 17-year-old kumite sensation, Tshegofatso Mangadi is expected to lead the team in Mangaung.

Mangadi is fresh from an outstanding performance at the just ended Zone VI tournament in Johannesburg were she scooped silver in individual kumite.

She is also a silver medallist from the 2013 Namibia Zone VI championships and also a three times BOKA national champion in the under 68kg category.
The team will also rely on the exploits of Entle Maungwa.

Maungwa was awarded a bronze at the zone VI for her efforts against tough opposition in individual kata.

The style has produced some of the finest karatekas in the mould of Thabo Letshwiti, One Ntalabgwe and Centy Kgosikoma in the past.

At the championships, some officials would also attend instructors training while at least four students travelling with the team will try to obtain their shodan (first degree) black belt.  Ends