Karate kids come back with 14 medals
TEAM South Africa returned from the Commonwealth Karate Championships held in New Delhi, India last week with 14 medals.
Among the medal winners were 11-year-old Abigail Govender and 13-year-old Kevasha Mahabeer who were featured in POST before their departure.
Abigail, a Grade 6 pupil from Clayhaven Primary in Phoenix, won a bronze medal in the kumite (fighting) category in the under 29kg division, while Kevasha, a Grade 8 pupil at Danville Girls’ High in Durban North, won a silver medal in the under 47kg division.
Coach Sensei Vijay Govender, who accompanied the team to India, said the competition was of a very high standard.
“Their opponents from New Zealand, Australia, India and Malaysia were of a high quality but these girls persevered and did our country proud. Their determination to bring home a medal paid off.”
Abigail and Kevasha both belong to the Association of Shotokan Karate-Do South Africa under the leadership of Sensei Dennis Kumarasamy and Sensei Govender. Abigail holds a brown belt while Kevasha has a red belt.
Kevasha, who won gold in a tournament in Mozambique last month, was hoping to repeat her winning performance.
“I tried hard to win the gold medal, but taking into consideration the high quality of the opposition, I’m happy with my performance on the world stage,” said Kevasha.
Abigail said: “I was very excited to win a medal.
“This was my first international tournament and to win a medal at this level is an achievement that will inspire me to do better at the next tournament.”