10 Aug 2015

Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) Karate Club dominated the 4th edition of the annual karate open tournament played at the army barracks gym hall on Saturday August 8.

The tournament, which has been hailed as a success story by event organisers, was introduced in 2011 in a bid to give local karatekas, especially young athletes, exposure in various karate techniques such as team kumite and team kata.

The club’s spokesperson, Charles Rautenbach explained that amongst other things they were impressed by the level of commitment from new clubs such as Linchwe Junior Secondary School and KS II from the Kgari Sechele Senior School stable.

The tournament attracted about 12 clubs countrywide resulting in close to 200 karatekas vying for top honours in different categories.

The hosts, SSKB, scooped most team events with youngsters such as the ever shining 10-year-old Louis Madibela emerging tops in team kata, individual kata, team kumite and individual kumite.

They topped their opponents with their boys retaining the under 17 team kumite beating Eagle Club of Selebi-Phikwe Eastern Military Garrison to the second spot.

The impressive young team from Phikwe played second fiddle to SSKB in most categories.

Rautenbach said they were planning to grow the tournament to regional standards, and to bring on sponsors that might attract tough opponents from across the borders.

He said the club was also bracing for the highly competitive Cape Town Open which they missed last year.

The club attended the 2013 Kofukan World Cup in Durban, and in March this year, sent karatekas namely Oratile Caiphus, Kabelo Molefhe, Mogakolodi Motlhabi and Nelson Matshamekwane to Norway for the World Cup.

The Mogoditshane based karate stable has also served the national team by offering some of the finest karatekas locally in the mould of the Mabolokane sisters, Gomolemo and Lesedi, Caiphus, national team head coach, George Tshikare and renowned sensei, Peter Molefhe who is also chief instructor at the club which affiliates to the Kofukan karate style. ENDS