26 Mar 2018

Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) has finalised its preparations to assemble a  senior national team that will contest in regional and continental championships.

Senior karatekas rounded their preparations for the national team slots in three legged point system matches on Saturday at the association’s training hall.

Prior to the final match, BOKA hosted the North and South qualifiers where medalists from the two tournaments converged to battle for national honours.

The team, which is yet to be called into camp, will first battle in a tightly contested African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region 5 karate championship slated for Gaborone in May.

Immediately after the regional tournament, the team will go into camp once again to prepare for the 17th edition of the Africa Karate Union Senior Championships penciled for Rwanda in June.

The team will close the hectic calendar with the World Karate Federation sanctioned world cup in Spain in October.

The day long tournament on Saturday lived to its expectations producing a tight affair at the end.

Under 75kg youngster Quinton Mosupiemang ended Oratile Caiphus’ dominance in the weight division after impressing in the first two rounds to emerge the overall winner closely followed by his arch rival in the second spot.

First dan black belt karateka will be making his debut in the national team colours after graduating from the junior team where he impressed in Zone VI tournaments in the past.

Experienced karatekas continued to impress to keep their slots safe in the national team.

Ofentse Bakwadi won the individual male kata while another on-form karateka Thato Malunga was unstoppable in the female individual kata.

Kgomotso Chakabuya clinched the female kumite U-50kg, U-55kg went to Gaone Gasemotho of JKA Botswana.

A resurgent Gaolathe Tjetjoo reclaimed her female kumite U-61kg title, Thabang Maleke won the U-68kg bout while Malebogo Roberts won the over 68kg title.

Other interesting bouts were won by veteran karateka Mogakolodi Motlhabi in the male over 84kg kumite while Mpho Bosenakitso and Gabriel Ramasimong won the male U-84 and U-67kg respectively.

In other developments, BOKA has unveiled its Local Organising Committee for the regional games.

The chairperson is Joe Motse, games manager David Mathe, director of sponsorship and media relations is Edwin Dikoloti, director of logistics and security Ookeditse Malesu, Duduetsang Machinya is in charge of quality and standards, head of protocol and ceremonies is Goitseone Phorie while Trustee of Botswana Karate Foundation is Kgosi Kgari Sechele III.

Sensei Mpho Bakwadi is tournament director.

Meanwhile, the association is currently undertaking a development programme for its chief instructors. Sensei Malesu is in Japan for a two-week programme.

Sensei Socca Moruakgomo and Sensei Bakwadi will jet off to England and Japan next month respectively. ENDS