Groth soars in karate rankings

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Local sensation, Khaya Groth is the second ranked karateka in Africa in the 16-17 year category. The rising star recently bagged silver and bronze at the just ended Africa Junior Championships in Tunisia.

The 16-year-old won silver in kata and bronze in kumite. Meanwhile, the karate team that represented Botswana in the Africa Junior Championships is expected to return home today. Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) had sent four karatekas to the event. BOKA spokesperson, Jerry Ditlhong said from Tunisia that Katlego Tsenene, Groth, Tirafalo Tsimamma and the only girl in the team, Tsholofelo Madumo did their best but the competition was tough.

Ditlhong said Groth's international exposure was handy because he knew what to expect having fought with some of his opponents before. He said beating fancied North African opponents is a clear indication that the good performance by  the youngster was not a fluke. BOKA's challenge however, is to produce more karatekas of Groth's calibre. "It is critical that we sent more athletes to such competitions in order to give them exposure," Ditlhong told Mmegi Sport. Recently BOKA invited an expert from Spain to grill local coaches as part of the endeavour to improve the local game.

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