Bumper entry for annual karate championships

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Friday March 26, 2010 00:00

 

This will be one of the biggest karate tournaments on the local scene. In its 15th edition,  the annual event will have the highest number of participants, beating last's year's figure of 450.

Karatekas from different styles and federations from all over Botswana including Shukokai, Botswana Shito Ryo Mabuni, Hayashi-Ha and Shotokan JKA are expected to attend.

Botswana Kofukan Federation (BKF) public relations officer, George Tshikare said the competition will feature only individual kata and kumite categories. There will be no team kata as the competition is focused on individual athletes' strengths and weaknesses.

He said that for every category, individuals will compete based on age and grade in kata as well as age and weight in the kumite.

Tshikare said the competition is meant to identify the best karatekas in the country. 'Athletes who believe that they are the best will be given a chance to prove it,' he said.  

Experienced karatekas that will feature in the event are Vicky Majama, Rafael Reed, Thato Malunga, Wame Senaice, Boitumelo Koone, Bose Caphus, Basimane Maphalala Mogakolodi and Rejoice Mothibi. Others are rising 13-year-old, Khaya Groth, Ofentse 'Shakes' Bakwadi and Kaene 'Pace' Kago. The tournament will start at 8am and end in the afternoon.