A Triumph for Our Athletes at 2024 WUKF SA National Championships & Afro-Asia Open

 

From 22-24 March 2024, our team had the incredible opportunity to participate in the prestigious 2024 WUKF SA National Championships & Afro-Asia Open held at the Boardwalk Hotel & Convention Centre in Gqeberha. This esteemed event welcomed athletes not only from across South Africa but also from international locations such as France, the United States, Scotland, and Namibia. As this was our second year attending, we were thrilled to see the competition level rise significantly from last year.

The championship not only strengthened the bonds of friendship and camaraderie between WUKF affiliates both locally and abroad but also served as a prime showcase for WUKF Karate in South Africa. We were even graced by the presence of President Cyril Ramaphosa, adding a layer of prestige and excitement to the event.

Our team sent 13 dedicated athletes, accompanied by supportive parents and coaches. The journey, however, was not without its challenges. Amidst the summer heat, one of our taxis broke down, causing some anxiety. Despite this rocky start, fortune favored us as we were unexpectedly upgraded, turning what could have been a stressful situation into an unforgettable first-class experience. Although unplanned, everything worked out in our favor, setting a positive tone for the rest of the event.

We are immensely proud of all our athletes who attended. Their dedication and hard work paid off as we more than doubled our medal count from 5 national medals in 2023 to an impressive 11 in 2024. However, the true victory lies in the perseverance, spirit, and effort each athlete displayed throughout the competition.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the parents who supported our athletes, everyone who helped raise funds, the coaches, and the senseis who played a crucial role in this achievement. A special thanks to Sensei Brendon Abraham and Senpai Jamie Fourie for their invaluable contributions, as well as to the head of our federation, Sensei Mary-Ann Landers, for her unwavering leadership.

We extend a big round of applause to all our athletes who represented us with honour: Megan Innes, Sharnelle Cader, Michael Tieties, Heather Innes, Zara Petersen, Danielle Pietersen, Tyler Valentyn, Diego Lyners, Jezareo April, Amber Innes-Ravens, Shamecke Hendricks, Blake Innes-Ravens and Luke Pieters