The hall at Donga BDF erupted on Saturday afternoon. Fists flew, feet snapped and the crowd was on its feet as Serati Dikgang of Eagle Claw Karate Club from Selibe Phikwe dethroned the hosts to become Botswana Kofukan champion.

Dikgang beat Thabang Thabiwa of Kagiso Karate Club 4-2 in a bruising senior men’s final that left Thabiwa gasping for air and the Selibe Phikwe contingent chanting his name. From the first bell it was clear Dikgang had come to take, not to ask. He stalked Thabiwa across the mat, trading crisp punches and forcing the Kagiso fighter onto the back foot. By the final minute Thabiwa looked exhausted, but Dikgang never let up.

“I have lost many titles before,” Dikgang said, clutching his gold medal and trophy. “Today I said this one is mine.”

The road to the final was no walkover. Dikgang had earlier dismantled Thapelo Jophias of Police Karate Club from Gaborone 3-0 in the semi-finals.

Thabiwa earned his spot with a gritty 2-0 win over club mate Emmanuel Mosate, who was later named Best Male Karateka of the tournament.Many expected Mosate to be in the final, but on the day the ‘Gods of karate’ chose otherwise. Thabiwa took defeat like a warrior.

“Dikgang deserved it. He was too difficult to break,” he said.

 Then he pointed a finger across the mat. “Today was not mine. Next time, I will teach you a lesson.”With the win, Dikgang puts himself in strong contention for qualification to the international championships scheduled for March next year in France.

“The sky is not the limit. I am going for more,” he said.

If Selibe Phikwe took the men’s crown, Francistown answered back through the women.

Katlego Mosweunyane of Kagiso Karate Club gave the home crowd something to cheer about, beating fellow Kagiso fighter Katlego Dibuile 2-0 to win the female championship.It was a masterclass. Mosweunyane danced in, kicked high, and followed with a volley of punches that kept Dibuile defending.Earlier she had survived a tough semi-final against another club mate, Marang Magola.

“It was not easy. We train together every day so I knew where to hit,” said Mosweunyane.

Ironically, Dibuile still left with individual honours after being named Best Female Karateka of the tournament. She took silver, Mosweunyane gold.

Proud father Mosinki Mosweunyane watched from the stands. “She balances school and training very well. With support, she will be a star on the international stage,” he said.

Mosweunyane’s depth showed. The club was crowned Best Overall Team, walking away with the bulk of medals and a trophy.

The senior men also produced another thriller when Mosate met Kabo “Mozambia” Modisenyane, also of Kagiso.

For three minutes, they went toe-to-toe, spectators shouting for more. Mosate edged it 5-2.

In the Under-16 girls, Lala Othusitse of Tlhabologang Junior Secondary School from Borolong village caused an upset.

Her bout against Tsaone Teso of Kagiso ended 2-2, but the judges raised Othusitse’s hand.

“I’m over the moon. I want to work hard and qualify for France in March. I want to see the world,” she said.

Tournament Director and Botswana Kofukan Federation technical member, Sensei Webster Mosinki, said the championships delivered exactly what was needed.

“This was one of our key preparatory events for the world tournament in March next year,” he said. The event was originally set for Gaborone but was moved to Francistown at the last minute.

He warned that the road ahead will need support. “We will have another selection tournament next year. But sponsors are thin.

We are appealing to parents and the business community to help our athletes get to France,” he said.

As the drums fell silent at Donga BDF, one message was clear, Botswana’s karatekas are sharpening their weapons.

And in March, they intend to take them to the world. ENDS