KARATE COMPETITORS SHOW THEIR CLASS
Local karate participants, or karatekas, showed they could compete with the best in KwaZulu-Natal.
They competed in a tournament at the Howick West Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday, October 8. It was organised by the South African Martial Arts Karate Club and South Africa FIKK.
There were 21 competitors from Durban, 19 from Pietermaritzburg, 15 from Estcourt and 25 from Howick.
Twelve of the top performing karatekas are pupils of Sensei TK Mnikathi, who runs TKay Fitness Gym in Main Road.
Top spot in the boys’ 25kg division went to Sphamandla Shange, with Sphesihle Mathebula in second place, Snondondo Bhengu in third and Soyama Mabaso in fourth.
Philani Kwela was first in the boys’ 55kg category, with Sihle Mazibuko in second place and Vuyokuhle Zondi taking third spot.
The winner in the boys’ 70kg category was Thuni Sereko, with Mxolisi Mdletshe in second place and Velo Mgobhozi in third.
In the boys’ open division, the gold medal went to Thuthukani Mhlongo, with second place going to Samkelo Ndlovu and third place to Ndukwenhle Mkhize.
In the girls’ competitions the results were as follows:
Girls 55kg: 1, Nondu Zondi; 2, Lisedi Mbatha; 3, Sne Mgobo.
Girls open division: 1, Thando Dube; 2, Nokwazi Lebitsa; 3, Mbali Shangase.
The uMngeni Municipality’s Mayor’s Office supported the tournament with funding with Mayor Chris Pappas and Deputy Mayor Sandile Mnikathi both attending the event.
Fairfield Dairy supplied refreshments to the competitors.