Many local karateka won gold medals at the Shotokan Karate Tournament held at Settlers Monument on Saturday 26 April for local and clubs from around the province.
The annual Shotokan Tournament saw an attendance of about 150 students this year with a wide range of age groups, male and female karateka taking part.
The tournament has been running since 2008.
Both local and non-local clubs attended the event, including clubs such as Joza Karate Club, Makana Karate Club and East Cape Shotokan-Ryu Karate Club.
Event organiser and instructor of the Rhodes University Karate and ECSR, Gary Grapentin describes karate as a sport that is indiscriminate of age as well as especially beneficial to youth saying that, “discipline perspective is very good for young people”.
Karate instructor at Joza Karate Club, Mzwandile Matebese supported this sentiment by talking about karate as a means for children in the townships to keep themselves out of trouble.
One of Matebese's students, Thanduxolo Royi (16) made the club proud by winning a silver medal for Kumite (fighting) and bronze for Kata (forms).
Royi hopes to improve his skills so that he can compete for South Africa in the South Africa Championships one day.
While many of the participants such as non-local Michelle le Grange (15) described the combat as their favourite part, Grapentin emphasises the controlled nature of karate saying that the idea is not to hurt your opponent but to show your skill.
Winners from this event include numerous gold, silver and bronze medallists from local clubs adding up to a total of 38 wins for ECSR, 29 for Joza Karate Club, 27 for Makana Karate Club and 7 for Rhodes University Karate Club.
Story by Sumanah Mustafa