Khayelitsha’s Qhamani Tom, 6, won a trophy and a gold medal after beating 12 karatekas at the All Africa Goju Ryu Karate championships in Stellenbosch at the weekend.
The Thusog Gojo karateka was among 15 participants from Khayelitsha who bagged 14 medals, including eight gold medals, five silver medals and one bronze medal.
Qhamani’s teammates, Luniko Saseni, 5, received a gold medal in the combined under-5, 6 and 7 divisions, while Ikona Macengwana won a gold medal in the girls under-11 division, followed by Inga Gugu’s gold medal in the under-15 girls division, and Imenathi Peter’s gold medal in the girls under-10 division.
Chief instructor, Monde Sisusa, said he was chuffed by all the youngsters’ results at the championships.
“I don’t know how to explain it, myself and sensei Beda Mthandazo are more than happy, they really made us proud. Out of thousands of kids from the whole of Africa, they did very well,” he said.
Sisusa said last month, in Witbank, Mpumalanga, Luseko Mangala, 6, won gold in kata and silver in kumite, Ungama Magqazolo, 6, won silver in kata and gold in kumite, and Liyabona Xaso, 5, won double gold in kata and kumite.
Sisusa said the next step is to raise funds for the trip to the championships in Malaysia early next year.
“All the winners were selected to represent SA and Africa in Malaysia next year. We are supposed to go there but we don’t have money. Each kid has to raise R38 000 for the trip,” he said.
To assist the youngsters with their trip to Malaysia, contact Sensei Sisusa on 073 862 9975.