Upsets At Karate National Team Selection
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday February 15, 2016 14:32
Batlaareng Shabane brewed a shocker when he won the Under-60kg category after beating Raphael Reed. Shabane had just graduated to the senior category where he is now competing against experienced karatekas.
Another upset saw Lemogang Keolopile win against Gofaone Mosupiemang in the Under-67kg category. The rivalry between Oratile Caiphus and Mpho Bosenakitso continued in the Under-75kg section. The two karatekas have a lengthy rivalry and this time Caiphus emerged the winner.
Mogakolodi Motlhabi beat Joseph Molodi to win the Under-80kg category. China Metswi won against Koketso Thobego in the Under-84kg.
The only upset in the women’s competition saw Malebogo Robert win the Under-68kg fight. Robert has been out of action for the past four years.
There were no changes in the women’s categories as Tsholofelo Maduna, Thato Malunga, and Marilyn Manthe picked easy victories. The Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) public relations officer, Jerry Ditlhong said the upsets are a welcome development, which shows growth in the sport.
The team is preparing for the Africa Championships in Gabon in April and the Zone VI tournament in Zimbabwe at a later date.
For the first time the Africa Championships is being held before the Zone VI tournament. He said normally the championships are held in August and Zone VI in April.
“We are not sending all the champions to Africa Championship. We are going to send five for kumite and two for kata for both men and women. The winners in each category in the final leg would undergo another selection under BOKA technical team. For Zone VI, the winner and runner up are guaranteed a place in the team,” he said.
The tournament attracted around 80 karatekas but the number is expected to increase in the second leg to be held at the end of the month, with the final leg slot for March.
In each tournament, competitors earn points and the highest in each category would be crowned national champion and automatically makes it to the national team that would represent Botswana in the Africa Championships.