‘Karate kid’ earns place on world stage

AT 11, karateka Liam Alexander graded for and earned his black belt just eight days before he turned 12, making him the youngest Kyokushin-kan black belt in the country.

Three weeks later, he was the youngest of 11 boys to represent South Africa at the Junior World Championships in Russia in December.

In the five years since starting karate, Liam, from Lotus River, has never lost a fight. He has returned victorious from nearly 40 tournaments, and has 49 medals and 24 trophies under his black belt.

The only boy in the SA team in the under 40kg weight category, Liam turned 12 – the minimum age for international competitors – just two weeks before he and 14 other teammates left for Moscow on December 15.

The unassuming karate kid graded for his black belt on November 22, and celebrated his 12th birthday on November 30.

A karateka who chooses this style of combat must be 12 to grade for a black belt, said Shihan Hennie Bosman, at whose Welgemoed dojo Liam and the SA team were put through intensive training for several weeks before leaving for Russia.

Liam was also the only boy in the 15-strong team – comprising four girls and 11 boys – to win a fight in the Russianhosted tournament.

The youngest member of the team to visit Russia was Cassidy Smith, who turned 12 in January this year. She will grade for her black belt at the end of this year, said team manager Gavin Smith.

“Liam has always done exceptionally well in all the tournaments he has competed in. He has been awarded his Western Province colours (every year since 2009), has competed in numerous SA championships, and has always been victorious.”

Liam competed in the SA Championships in Joburg in August last year, taking first place in his age and weight category, according to Smith, who is also principle instructor at the Kyokushin- kan Karate- Dojo in Mitchells Plain, where Liam has been a member for the past two-and-a-half years. It is affiliated to Bosman’s dojo.

Liam’s natural talent and passion for karate has been nurtured and honed since 2010

The unassuming

eight days later

when he joined the Ashihara Karate club in Lotus River, where he lives and attends St Clement’s primary school.

He gained his first SA title representing the Western Cape at a national tournament in Rustenberg in November the same year.

After nearly three years at Ashihara, Liam joined Smith’s Kyokushin- kan dojo in Mitchells Plain.

Liam’s grandfather Danny Alexander said: “Karate has done wonders for Liam on a number of levels.

“His confidence has improved hugely, he is more sharing and caring with other children, and more helpful around the house.

“Liam’s teachers praise him for his understanding attitude, and he even received a compassionate award at school.”

Liam agreed that since he began doing karate, his school work, behaviour and manners had improved, and said: “I want all my friends to do karate so our streets can be better.”

On his first trip abroad, he said: “Russia was cold and the people are not friendly, but it was an amazing experience.”

Today Liam will again be competing in a Western Province tournament in the run- up to the SA Championships scheduled for September.