Nihon Karate makes Pacific Cup debut

Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday September 22, 2026 10:14

The team arrived in the Island country on Sunday evening to prepare for a tight schedule of events that includes competitions and training. Nihon chairperson, Sensei Karabo Samuel, explained they are affiliated to JKA adding the style is a new organisation established four years ago. He said locally, they have two tournaments they run namely Day of the African Child and another held in August which is a closed event, being style specific. “During the August event, we have a gashuku (training camp) where we host the JKA Sub Saharan Africa regional director, Shihan Daniel Gombe sent by the headquarters in Japan,” Samuel said. “On the international space, we have attended the Africa JKA Cup, since our formation, it was held twice and we attended both editions.

On our first visit we sent athletes and second edition we sent athletes and officials, an indication that the organisation is growing.” He revealed that they will attend standardisation seminar, course classifications which means some members of the team will come back as qualified instructors, qualified judges and qualified examiners. Samuel said there will be a tournament where the members will officiate in and gain exposure that they will bring back home to develop the sport. Nihon acting chief instructor, Sensei Dr. Keone Kgorotlhe said the team has trained hard for the tournament as they have long dreamt of the event. He explained that when the team gets into competition in Mauritius, they must remember that they are not alone but the entire Nihon is behind them. “Go out there, learn, network and built friendships with other contestants. If you win, win with dignity and that does not mean you are special than others,” he said.

For his part, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nelson Ramaotwana said being part of the team is a sign of hard work, discipline and commitment to the art of karate. He said the government recognises the important role that sport plays in nation building. He said karate is more than fighting, it is about respect, self control, discipline and focus, values the nation needs. “Nihon has and continues to develop our young people and lift the Botswana flag high. You are not going to Mauritius to only represent your dojos and federations, you are representing Botswana. I urge you to compete with honour, uphold fair play and the spirit of JKA, be disciplined ambassadors on and off the tatami. Bring back the experience to grow karate in Botswana. Win or lose, make us proud,” he said.

Ramaotwana said the government remains committed to supporting all sporting codes, including martial arts to ensure that athletes and officials compete at the highest level, locally, regionally and internationally. The team: Samuel (kata, kumite and team kumite), Lucky Radimpe (kata and judge), Mpho Hule (kata and kumite), Gaosengwe Tautona (kata and kumite and team kumite), Neo Tautona (kata, kumite and team kumite), Lesedi Moahi (kata, kumite and team kumite), Kgorotlhe (kata, kumite and team kumite).