16 Feb 2025

 After disappearing from the dojo for one year, Thebephatshwa Airbase karateka Centy Kgosikoma came back rejuvenated and stronger to win the first leg of the female individual kata during the Botswana Karate Association, national team selection in Gaborone on Saturday.

Kgosimakoma who was at military training for one year, made her first appearance in the dojo, and her power, speed and lethal finishing techniques when doing the Suparinpei kata demonstrated that “form is temporary, class is permanent.”

She outclassed Lame Hetanang of Gaborone Karate Club who was doing Gojushiho-Sho kata and finished round two, in position two.

Lesego Masimola and Charleen Magalie of SSKB finished in position three and four respectively.

Kgosikoma told BOPA that although rusty, she was happy with her come back and was well aware that her opponent would come back stronger in the second leg.

“But I was not expecting much, I came here for practice since I have been away for a year and I was just trying my luck and gauge if still have my mojo,” she said.

Her longtime rival, Hetanang had also been away and yet Kgosikoma knew she would work hard, knowing that she would come back stronger in the second leg.

“My first round I won against Lethabo Sekano, second round I went against Lesego Masimola, and I know them very well, they are my teammates in the team kata, so It was not much of a struggle to go against them, but I was hoping that they would win since I have been away,” she said.

The Botswana Defence Force, second lieutenant said in the second leg, she would come more prepared, because her mission was to do well even in the third and final leg so that she made it to the national team.

The male individual kumite was won by James Daniel of Soukous Karate, followed by SSKB karatekas Martin Matsake and Setso Sebina who finished in position two and three respectively. ENDS