Karatekas shine in World Union Karate Federations SA champs
Highlights, among medals won, included visit from President Cyril Ramaphosa
The recent World Union of Karate Federations (WUKF) SA National Championships and Afro-Asia Open was held for the third consecutive year at Gqeberha’s luxurious Boardwalk Hotel and International Convention Centre.
The 2024 edition of the championship saw 698 competitors start in 1,595 categories over three days.
The categories included individual and team kata (forms), inclusive kata and combat (for athletes living with disabilities), Individual Shobu Nihon, Shobu Sanbon and Shobu Ippon kumite (sparring), Kobudo long and short weapons, as well as Shobu Sanbon and Shobu Ippon rotational team kumite.
The championship catered for novice, intermediate and elite competitors of all ages.
Ndlambe members represented East Cape Shotokan-Ryu (dojos in Port Alfred and Kenton-on-Sea) and their national federation United ShotokanRyu.
The local athletes acquitted themselves well, achieving several top three positions in their respective categories.
The results were as follows: Aradan Yazbek (gold and bronze), Azukile Hendele (bronze x two and silver), Carla Denston (bronze and silver), Crystal Armstrong (bronze), Jessica Herrington (bronze), Kenzo Santos-Osman (bronze), Natalie Hanstein (gold), Ruan Jacobs (gold x two) and Tor Heyerdahl (bronze).
In total, 22 federations were represented, including teams from the Amateur Athletic Union (US), Kanzen Karate (Scotland), Reunion WUKF League (Reunion) and Traditional Karate Namibia.
A highlight for many at the championship was a visit by President
Cyril Ramaphosa, who received a rousing welcome and round of applause as he entered the venue and addressed the excited crowd.
Also in attendance were guests of honour, WUKF executive members Roy O’Kane (Scotland) and Essam Shreif (Egypt).
Kanzen Karate’s (Scotland) highly respected senior coach, Dan Woods,
presented an excellent seminar to a large and enthusiastic group of competitors before the championship.
An innovation at the championship was the introduction of a new online system which allowed competitors and spectators to access schedules, view drawsheets and results in real time from their smartphones.
Goshukan Karate SA placed third
overall, with the runner-up spot going to Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan SA and United Shotokan-Ryu (SA) claiming the top overall position.
Since 2020, WUKF in SA has seen a phenomenal 500% increase in federation membership.
The championship was organised by local karate instructor Gary Grapentin, with support from the
members and volunteers of East Cape Shotokan-Ryu and United ShotokanRyu. Grapentin, who also serves as the chairperson for United Shotokan-Ryu and liaison officer for WUKF SA was promoted to WUKF Africa president during the championship. For inquiries about karate classes in Ndlambe and Makana, contact Grapentin on 0733460-059 or at