Four golds for NMU karateka

Madibaz karateka Adre Weideman enhanced her standing when she returned from a national tournament in Stellenbosch with four gold medals.

The 20-year-old Nelson Mandela University student, from Korsten in Port Elizabeth, competed in the Goju Kai tournament in October and ruled the kata and kumite categories.

Representing the Eastern Province, she also picked up two team golds in the same disciplines.

Though she lacked some confidence going into the tournament, Weideman said her success made her realise she could do anything she put her mind to.

“I was recovering from an injury and juggling a hectic academic schedule, which often caused my training to take a back seat,” the third-year human movement science student said.

“Apart from all the insecurities about whether I had trained enough and if I had fully recovered, these medals have provided the motivation for me to keep pushing and to believe in myself.”

She said a number of factors had contributed to her success.

“Thanks to the constant motivation from my coaches Shihan Clayton Thom and sensei Warda Mallick, as well as from my family, I had no choice but to apply my mind to do the best I can.

“I was also honoured to be chosen as a provincial coach for the team. Being put in this position of trust meant I wanted to prove I was the right person for the job, and that motivated me even more.”

The third factor had a personal ring to it because Weideman competed alongside her sister, Luchay, a Grade 10 pupil at St James High.

“She is a world medallist [in her age group] and just competing with her made me bring my best to the table,” she said.