Young girl to fly SA flag in Japan

NINE-year-old Inathi Sam will fly the SA flag when she competes in Tokyo, Japan in a three-day international karate tournament in April.

The International Federation Tournament is set to take place from April 15 to 17, with over 40 countries participating.

Sam currently ranks number two in the national U14 level following her exceptional performance in the National Karate championships.

Last year in July, Cape Town was the host city of the national championships which saw the Amalinda-born sensation claiming second place after only two years of being involved in the sport.

She currently has a blue belt, 8 kyu, and will be fighting in the U9 category.

Sam said she was overly excited and nervous at the same time because this is her first time competing in an international arena.

“I am so excited about going to Japan I am hoping it will be nice considering it’s my first attempt fighting on a global level,” she said.

Proud father Reverend Xolamzi Sam expressed his joy for his daughter.

“I am overly-joyed as she has worked very hard to be where she is,” said Sam.

As a firm believer of the Christian faith, Reverend Sam also said this was God blessing him and his family.

“When God decides to bless you, he doesn’t bless only you but your family as well,” he said.

Oyama Atado Karate Dojo club trainer Steven Martin said the athletes train hard and have a strict time frame of training, with discipline being the primary rule.

“We make sure we train for one hour and 30 minutes every day,” said Martin.

Accommodation and kit preparations are under way, said Martins.

He also wished Inathi and all the participants well and said if they work hard and show dedication and commitment to their sport success was a guarantee.

Sam is the youngest of the team of nine going to Japan. Among them is the current All African and South African U55kg champion, Leighandre Jegels (21).

She is also one of the few South African young girls who have managed to fight on a world stage at such a tender age and continues to make the sport popular in the country.

Last year Pietermaritzburg karate sensation Zahra Kader (15) represented the country in the Africa Zone 6 Continental Championships in Zimbabwe.

Kader made a name for herself when she was selected to represent the country in an elite karate tournament held in Durban in July last year.