SA’s karatekas sort out pecking order ahead of world championship
KARATE action was in full flow at the Boardwalk Hotel’s Tsitsikamma Room on Saturday as more than 260 karatekas battled it out in the third United World Karate South Africa (UWKSA) national championships.
The championship was held on six floors in categories ranging from novice to elite.
Federations and affiliates in attendance included the South Africa Shotokan Karate Academy, South Africa National Shotokan Association, Shotokan ZA, Shotokan Circle of Karate and United Shotokan-Ryu as well as numerous individually affiliated dojos from across the country.
“The championship was extremely successful, with UWKSA once again showing positive growth in membership over the past 12 months,” said UWKSA president Gary Grapentin.
“Based on the results achieved at the weekend’s championship, a team will be selected to represent UWKSA at the 2019 UWK world championships.
“UWKSA is endorsed and recognised by United World Karate, one of the largest international karate sports federations.”
This was the first time the championship had been held in Port Elizabeth.
Grapentin praised The Boardwalk hotel and entertainment complex as the perfect setting for the championship.
Out on the floor the action was fierce, especially in the senior men’s brown to black belt kata (forms) and kumite (fighting) categories, with Jacques Bardenhorst of Dragons Karate Club in Gauteng winning gold in both categories.
Shaun Kapp (Dragon Suburbs Karate Dojo, Port Elizabeth) and Lutho Singata (Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club, Grahamsttown) were the respective silver medallists in the kata and kumite categories.
Both Bardenhorst and Singata will be travelling to Dundee, Scotland for the WUKF World Championship in June.
Tanya de Villiers of PE Noord Karate Club clinched the senior women brown and black belt kata category with Mel Ackerman of East Cape Shotokan-Ryu in Grahamstown placing second.
These positions were reversed in the kumite category, with Ackerman taking gold and De Villiers silver.
In the veteran men’s brown and black belt kata category, Mzwandile Matebese of Joza Karate Club in Grahamstown won gold.
The Western Cape’s JP Muller (Brackenfell Shotokan Karate Academy) claimed top position in the veteran men’s kumite.
Anne Hartley of East Cape Shotokan-Ryu in Port Alfred won gold in the veteran women kata category.
The cadet boys (15-17 years) red to black belt male kata and kumite categories were both won by Brent Smith of East Cape Shotokan Ryu, Grahamstown.
Morishca Minnie of PE Noord won gold in the cadet girls’ red to black belt kata category.
In a controversial kumite final in the same age category, Kayle Olivier of East Cape Shotokan-Ryu, Grahamstown, was awarded gold after her opponent was disqualified for excessive contact.
In all, a fantastic nationals was enjoyed by everyone, with plenty of action witnessed by fans.
For any further information about United World Karate South Africa, Grapentin may be contacted at