Botswana dominate karate championships
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday June 20, 2022 16:00
The championships were commemorating the 10th anniversary. The event which is organised and hosted by Hayashi-Ha Karate Federation, attracted athletes from South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Hayashi-Ha secretary general, Ofentse Bakwadi told Sport Monitor that he was impressed by the performance of the karatekas. “We always strive to bring out the best event.
It has been 10 years and it was only right for us to up the game. This championships is an opportunity for local athletes to have a taste of a World standard event without spending a lot of money by travelling to South Africa or overseas. The turn up by locals was high hence the advantage of winning a lot of categories,” Bakwadi said.
He said the Gaborone Open came at the back drop of Karate Region 5 Games and the karatekas are still in good shape. He said the stakes were also high because the Region 5 medalists wanted to prove that their wins in Durban were not a fluke. “We have a lot of talent in this country and the competition is high. It means going into the next competition, the standards will continue to grow,” he said.
The results for elite and senior categories:
Girls 14-15 years: kata: 1) Rorisang Lekgela. 2) Rosisang Lekoko. 3) Tase Magagula. 4) Chebu Kaome Boys kumite: 16-17 years: 1) Louis Madibela. 2) Kao Nsala. 3) Justin Scholtz. 4) Mogomotsi Kolobe. Elite boys kata Under 21 years: 1) Martin Matsake. 2) Motlhomi Makepe. 3) TheoKeetile. Elite boys kumite Under 21 years 1) Lefika Peter. 2) Pako Segotsi. 3) Laone Mosielele. 4) Moagi Mmolai. Women seniors elite individual Kata: 1) Centy Kgosikoma. 2. Suzelle Pronk – Namibia. 3) Lesego Masimola. Male seniors elite kumite - 67kg: 1) Jody Williams - South Africa. 2) Gabriel Ramasimong. 3) Julio Mwiya - Namibia 3. Teto Wakwena. Male seniors elite kumite +67kg: 1) Oratile Caiphus. 2) Dan Botlhamile 3) Quinton Mosupiemang. 4) Freddy Mwiya - Namibia. Senior women kumite -55kg 1) Tshegofatso Chepete. 2) Centy Kgosikoma 3) Lesego Masimola. Senior ladies kumite +55kg: 1) Onkemetse Chepete. 2) Lethabo Sekano. 3) Suzelle Pronk. 4) Otilia Okopeng.