TREASURED KATANA SWORDS AT STAKE AT KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Inaugural Sunshine Coast Karate Open Champs at Fish River this weekend
Twenty-five dojos are expected to present between 300 and 400 karateka at the Fish River Resort competition at the weekend.
Thrilling karate action is set to light up the Fish River Resort this weekend as the inaugural Sunshine Coast Karate Open Championships (SCKO) is battled out on Saturday.
The United Shotokan-Ryu and East Cape Shotokan-Ryu (Grahamstown and Port Alfred) will convene the event with this inaugural tournament – just the beginning of bigger things set to come from next year.
“It is envisaged that as from 2019, the SCKO will evolve into an annual series of three championship events staged at unique venues along the Sunshine Coast,” explained event organiser Gary Grapentin.
Saturday's event is estimated to bring between 300-400 athletes of all ages and belt levels to contest in the championship.
The highest contingent of athletes will come from across the Eastern Cape, while athletes are also expected from the Western Cape, the Garden Route and Gauteng, which should all be well represented.
At least 25 dojos representing the karate styles of Shotokan, Goju-Ryu and Shorin-Ryu will take part in the championship, competing for the coveted overall first-place trophy of a Japanese katana sword which should add a lot of excitement to proceedings.
Early favourites for the title include hosts East Cape Shotokan-Ryu and Joza Karate Club, both from Grahamstown, and King Karate Club – who always have a large group of participants – from King William’s Town.
The winners in the men’s and women’s elite kata (forms) and kumite (fighting) categories will also be presented with a Japanese katana sword trophy.
Athletes of all ages will contest both individual kata and kumite in categories ranging from novice to intermediate and then elite level.
A number of South African athletes who have recently returned from the WUKF World Championships which was held in Dundee, Scotland have confirmed their participation in the championship.
Lutho Singata (Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club) who became the first South African to compete in three finals and win a bronze medal in a senior men’s kumite category at the WUKF World Championships will compete in both the elite senior men’s kata and kumite categories.
As a further incentive for elite athletes, the championship will also be used as trials to select a United Shotokan-Ryu team to compete at the 2019 WUKF World Championships which will take place in Bratislava, Slovenia.
“The Fish River Resort will provide a unique, luxurious and atmospheric setting for the championship on the scenic Sunshine Coast of the Eastern Cape,” added Grapentin.
“The championship venue will comprise six competition arenas, each enhanced by overhead lighting, computerised scoring systems and comfortable ring-side seating for spectators.
“In addition, the championship experience will provide the opportunity for participants, officials, families and supporters of karate to enjoy an unforgettable break at the Fish River Resort.”
On Saturday, the venue doors open to the public at 7.15am, before the action officially gets under way from 8.30am.
The championship is expected to conclude by late afternoon.
The entry fee for spectators is R40 for adults and R20 for children, pupils and students.
For more information regarding the championship, contact Grapentin on garyg@geenet.co.za.
For accommodation enquiries at the Fish River Resort, call 040-676-1101 or send an email to reservations@fishriverresort.co.za.
At least 25 dojos competing for the overall first-place trophy of a katana sword