07 Sep 2018

The Botswana national karate team scooped five medals from the just ended 17^th African seniors karate championships which were held in Kigali, Rwanda, this past weekend.

The next edition of the tournament will be hosted by Botswana next year.

Rwanda was handed the baton by Cameroon where Botswana scooped five medals, two gold, two silver and a bronze.

The male team kata scooped a bronze medal at the competitions.

Ofentse Bakwadi, who was defending his Africa kata crown, lost to South African Michael Duplesis in the final of a gruelling encounter.

Bakwadi had clawed his way into the final against some of the continents toughest opponents in the mould of Ednane Elhakim and Ahmed Shawky amongst others. Bakwadi settled for silver in the closely contested tie of the elite male kata.

Entle Maungwa, who was making her first appearance at the continental showpiece, scooped a bronze medal in the female individual kata against the tried and tested Namibian Katelin Martin and Maxine Willemse of South Africa. She was beaten to the first spot by Egyptian Sarah Sayed.

Botswana’s under 75kg kumite champion, Gofaone Mosupiemang, fought hard in the elite under 75kg individual male kumite and lost to Abdalla Abdelaziz in the last round settling for silver.

 Mosupiemang’s performance was outstanding as he was also competing for the first time in the African championships, and he won all his four bouts through a technical knockout before the final.

The female kata team comprising Maungwa, Thato Malunga and Centy Kgosikoma won a bronze medal while the male kumite team including Oratile Caiphus, Thabang Setshego, Lemogang Koolopile, Tlotlang Ponatshego, Thebe Duna and Katlego Tsenene won a bronze trailing Egypt and Cameroon.

In an interview with Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) public relations officer, Isaiah Ramontshonyana revealed that this year’s edition was tough due to the fact that karate would be included in the upcoming Tokyo 2020 programme of events.

Ramontshonyana said most countries had started preparing for the Olympics, and that a lot of them came straight from their camps to the African championships, adding that the number of participants also increased.

Even though the team did not meet their nine medal target, being awarded the hosting rights for 2019 would be an dvantage for a better performance.

Still in Rwanda, some local referees and coaches had from August 29 to 30 attended and passed refereeing and coaching courses. Mpho Bakwadi and Union Kgafela went for Africa refereeing while Peter Molefhe did a coaching course. ENDS