Bakwadi, Groth to train with US karate star

Thato Kala | Thursday November 27, 2014 12:22

 

The American is preparing for the Pan American Karate Games in Toronto, Canada next year. Groth and Bakwadi leave today for America where they will be drilled by Ramrup, a revered certified personal trainer and member of the USA Olympic team.

Bakwadi has been in touch with Ramrup ahead of a trip expected to prepare him and Groth for the 2015 season.

“I’ve spoken to him and he sounds equally excited about working with us. He told me how working with us will help him prepare for the Pan American Games as much as it would help us prepare for All Africa Games and other major events billed for 2015,” Bakwadi told Mmegi Sport.

It has generally been a disappointing year for Bakwadi and his national teammates after they failed to participate in competitions. Bakwadi hopes the America camp puts them in good stead for the coming season.

While in America, the two Botswana karatekas will get an opportunity to train and spar with the USA Olympic team. “We are very excited about it, the guy is quite good and experienced. The fact that we will also have an opportunity to train with most of the USA national karate team members is also very exciting.

 It will give us the necessary exposure and ring time,” Bakwadi said.

The two are expected back in the country on December 14. Groth, who was locked out of the Africa Youth Games by an injury earlier in the year, goes to America courtesy of the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) Zebra Fund while Bakwadi is sponsoring himself with the help of the Hayashi-Ha Botswana Karate family.