It’s time to sort the men from the boys in PE today
East London represented by two top clubs
KARATE action will take centre stage in Port Elizabeth as the third annual United World Karate South Africa (UWKSA) National Championship is battled out at the Boardwalk Hotel today.
The Championship will see over 250 competitors of all ages and levels competing in various individual and team categories and thrilling action is expected across the board.
East London will be well represented by Sean O’Connell’s Shotokan Circle of Karate as well as Adlam’s Dojo, while Port Alfred and Grahamstown will field teams from East Cape Shotokan-Ryu, Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club and Joza Karate Club.
Port Elizabeth side Western Suburbs Karate Club, PE North, Kase-ha will be represented, while Sansa and L&J from Uitenhage will also participate.
A number of athletes from around the country will add a national flavour to the action with contingents coming down from Somerset East as well as Cradock.
Two early favourites in the men’s Black Belt Category are rivals Thanduxolo Royi (Joza) and Lutho Singata (Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club) who will compete in both the kata (forms) and kumite (fighting) categories.
In particular Singata will be one to watch as he claimed the Kumite title during the previous event held at the Fish River Sun, while he was also crowned SASKA National champion last year.
“The UWKSA Championship promises to produce karate-do of an exceptionally high standard, with a number of extremely competitive red to black belt categories,” claimed the UWKSA president Gary Grapentin.
“Also adding excitement to the event is that competitors at this year’s national championship will also be vying for a place on the team which will represent UWKSA at the UWK World Championship in 2019.
“In addition to this, the Championship will also provide an excellent preliminary event for a number of competitors, including Singata, who will be travelling to Dundee, Scotland in June for the WUKF World Championship,” said Grapentin.
The action will take place in the Boardwalk's Tsitsikamma room, where the Championship venue will comprise of six competition arenas with comfortable ring-side seating for spectators.
“In addition, the championship experience will provide the opportunity for participants, officials, families and supporters of karate to enjoy an unforgettable time at the Boardwalk Hotel as well as enjoy the many attractions which the Boardwalk Entertainment Complex has to offer,” added Grapentin.
The entry fee for spectators is R50 for adults and R30 for children and scholars. The doors open for the public at 7.15am. Action will get underway with the first categories from 8.30am.
United World Karate (UWK) is an international karate sports body which was formed in 2014.
Soon thereafter the South African Federations affiliated to WUKF and WUKO & AD initiated dialogue with the intent purpose of unifying all affiliated national federations and organisations under the umbrella body, United World Karate South Africa.
Unification was achieved in March 2015 and UWKSA received official UWK membership status later that year.
The chief organisers of the championship are Grapentin and Maureen de Jager, the UWKSA chief Jury Table Judge.
For more information contact Grapentin at garyg@geenet.co.za