Magnificent Four find their mojo at Cape of Storms
FOUR karatekas from the Sensei Russel Symes Dojo claimed medals at the World Shotokan Karate Championships which was held in Cape Town recently.
The karatekas, Dayne Collins, Francois Roberts, Khanyisa Mabula and Kristen Cumming were in top form to finish in the top three of their respective categories at the event.
In all 35 countries took part in the world champs bringing a large number of karatekas to take part and competition was extremely stiff.
Collins managed to win the only gold medal of the four in the open women’s team event, while she also won a silver medal in the individual U16-U18 kumite event.
Roberts picked up two silver medals at the champs, in the U14 Kumite and Kata divisions.
Mabula and Cumming then rounded out the medal winners with both taking bronze medals, Mabula in the U10 Kata division and Cumming in the U10 Kumite.
“There were 35 countries taking part and I did expect one or two of my students to [win] medal, but to finish in the top two was very special and they all put in very impressive performances over the event,” said Symes.
In all nine karatekas from Syms’ Dojo made it to the champs, the others being Dumisa Mabula, Owam Nelson, Keeran Obaray, Hein Dafel, and Liso Nkonki, and all had made the team through top performances at the ISKF National year.
“They all did very well to be selected. They had to finish either first or second at the national champs in Johannesburg and they all managed to finish first in their divisions,” explained Symes.
“We had then been training for nine months now and they all put in a lot of hard work ahead of the championship.”
Next up for the karatekas will be the WUKF Africa Invitational taking place at the Fish River Sun in October and all will be taking part.
“There is a big tournament at Fish River Sun and they will all be there to compete and hopefully do well,” said Symes.
The Fish River Sun event takes place over the weekend of October 7-8. Championships last