RAMONTSHONYANA OPENS NEW DOJO

Botswana Karate Association spokesperson Isaiah Ramontshonyana is now operating his own Karate Dojo where he trains people of all ages in Gaborone. Prior to opening the Nihon Kewa Kai dojo for karate and self defence classes, Ramontshonyana has been training kids in government primary schools.

“Since then I have decided to open a club outside the school premises that will also be open to other members who will be interested in joining the club. I have been engaged mainly with Galaletsang Primary school which in the past has produced great athletes like

Centy Kgosikoma, Entle Maungwa and Lesego Masimola. The club was opened only for school students and not outsiders,” Ramontshonyana said in an interview this week.

Quizzed on what will make his new dojo different from others, Ramontshonyana said,

“One of the things that make us different from other clubs is that we start with young children from as early as three years. The youngest member of the club currently is a two year, seven- months boy. Furthermore,

Ramont shonyana said he is currently in negotiations with other stakeholders to assist kids in his club with life skills programs and part of this will be tutoring services which will be on offer for the youngsters.

Ramontshonyana is a decorated and well -travelled karateka having started a career in karate in 1997 at a club called Tsosamotse under sensei, Louis Bothongo. “I was graded from white belt to brown belt by Sensei Million Masumbika from 1997 till 2000. In 2002 I was graded to first degree black belt by a Japanese instructor, Shihan Keiji Tomiyama. Later on I was Graded to 2nd degree black belt in 2010 by Elias Jacobs and three years later to a 3rd degree black belt by Elias Jacobs.” Ramontshonyana got his 4th degree black belt by a Japanese instructor based in USA who is also the technical director of USA Karate Katsukata Tanaka in 2019.

Thus far Ramontshonyana has represented Botswana on several international assignments including Region 5, Africa Cup and the world cup. His biggest achievement was winning two silvers at the Africa Cup for both individual and team kumite. Ramontshonyana was appointed as Chief Instructor of Ryushikan in 2013 and Chief Instructor of Nihon Kenwa international Botswana in 2018 until today. He currently serves as the BOKA Publicity Secretary. The accomplished karateka who also serves as a national referee was recently appointed by the BOKA president to manage the national team.