12 Feb 2017

Medalists from the two Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) regions, north and south will descend the BOKA Dojo on the last weekend of this month to fight for junior national team slots for the annual Zone VI tournament slated for Mozambique in June.
On Saturday, it was the last round of the BOKA national team selection tournament,  which started last weekend at the Molapo Stanbic Piazza.
The day long under 21 years kumite tournament produced some of the shocking upsets as some reputable karatekas lost to promising and upcoming youngsters.
Tlotlang Theetso pulled a surprise stunt when he inched past the likes of Africa Youth Games champion Thabang Setshego and Vincent Magalie to claim the top spot in the U21 years under 60kg kumite.
Another enterprising karateka Tumisang Kemolatlhe was also in fine form in the same category grabbing silver in the process.
Africa Youth Games finalist Wathuto Maake watched in disbelieve as Neo Moepi was crowned overall champion in the female U21 years under 50kg individual kumite.
A mouthwatering competition is expected in the junior team kata category where the likes of Phillipe Revaka, Mohammed Ali Hussein, Kevin Kereemang and Setso Rasesia amongst others are expecting tough opposition from the north.
The female junior team selection is also spoilt for choice with Gomolemo Mabolokane, Entle Maungwa and Tshegofatso Mangadi in a mean mood against their opponents.
An explosive fight for the national team slot is also expected in the under 67kg category where Teto Wakwena, Titus Ponatshego and Thebe Duna lie in wait.
The boy’s 12-13 years individual kata is one interesting category to watch as Martin Motseke, Setso Sebina, Loago Mokotedi and Louis Madibela have been giving an impressive showing throughout the years.
Botswana has been very impressive in the regional tournament edging out favourites South Africa and other countries such as Zimbabwe were the sport is growing in leaps and bounds.
 The last edition hosted in Harare Botswana came out tops followed by South Africa. ENDS