10 Apr 2016

Young and upcoming karatekas displayed intense moments of electrifying kumites and perfectly coordinated kata moves at this year’s Gabs Open championships. 

The Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) sanctioned tournament was hosted by Hayashi Ha Botswana Karate Union.

The sixth event of the annual tournament had attracted a considerable number of athletes even from across the borders and were ready to show their nippy moves from the onset of the day long matches. 

The final bouts were even more interesting with a number of shocking results. 

In an undoubtedly the toast of the afternoon matches and what many considered as a rematch of the recent BOKA senior selections championships, under 60kg champion Thabang Setshego set a date with his closest rival Raffeal Reid.

 The two arch rivals had a rocky path to the finals with Reid having to convince the judges in a semifinal match against seasoned Zimbabwean champion Winston Nyanhete and Joseph Molodi. On the other hand Setshego clawed his way to the finals after a slim margin against veteran karatekas China Metswi and Zimbabwean Dean Ramsey. 

Their sixth meeting resulted in yet another slim margin for Setshego who still holds the bragging rights in the under 60kg.

Another interesting duel was in the men’s open kumite where Teto Wakwena faced tough opposition in Cape Town based Liam Damon. Nevertheless Damon fought to a bitter end. Phillipe Revaka continued his fine form in individual kata when he beat Vincent Magalie to the first spot. In other matches impressive youngster Gabriel Seleke clinched double gold for his efforts in individual kumite and kata.

SSKB Karate club’s exciting kata sensation Martin Motseke was also unmatched in the boy’s under12 years individual kata and kumite.

Eight years old Innocent Nelson won the beginners individual kata while Atang Tshekiso beat Wenzi Macala in the six years old individual kata. The latter dusted up and scooped the boy’s individual kumite. In an interview on the sidelines of the tournament one of the event organisers, Ofentse Bakwadi said they were impressed by the overall organisation of the matches and were planning to organise a more bigger and better event in the near future. Ends