Karateka claims two medals at champs
● Karateka claims two medals at champs
KwaDwesi Extension karateka Noloyiso Bonga believes the experience gained at the Karate World Championships is what helped her claim two silver medals at the 9th Commonwealth Karate Championships last week.
Held in Durban at the Olive Centre and Durban Ice Arena, the competition saw Bonga claim an individual silver medal in kumite.
She was also part of the team which brought home a silver medal, also for kumite.
Bonga said she had to overcome a number of tough opponents, including karateka from Botswana, India and Mozambique, on her way to the final against England, falling just short at the last hurdle.
“It was a tough competition because it involved some of the best karateka on the continent as well as abroad, each with a different skill set,” she said.
“I knew I had prepared quite well for the competition, so I had a bit of confidence and I knew exactly what I needed to do, but also what was expected of me.”
About the final against her English opponent, Bonga said: “I knew that it would be a good challenge for me. Here in SA we are still developing in some areas.
“However, countries like England and India have a lot more opportunities to succeed in the sport, but I am still honoured to have competed and managed to score points against such an accomplished karateka,” she said.
Bonga said all of the match-ups came with their own set of challenges.
“Having competed against the likes of Botswana and Mozambique at previous competitions I kind of knew what to expect,” Bonga said.
“But going up against countries like England and India was a great learning experience for me.”
In November, Bonga represented SA at the World Karate Championships in Spain, and despite a disappointing result for the team, she said the trip was a great chance to test their skills.
“With more than a 140 countries competing at the world championships in Spain, it was always going to be tough for us as a team.
“For me, it was a platform to learn about how karate is regarded in other countries.
“What is expected of karateka and just learning tips and skills from the more developed nations.”
Bonga will now take a short break from training heading into the festive season, but will continue to do some light work before starting up again in early January.
She would like to compete in a provincial trial competition at the beginning of February where an Eastern Cape team will be selected to represent the province at the national championships.
● Another Bay karateka, Arden Harris, claimed a silver medal in kumite at the same event.