The event was held over the weekend at the UB Indoor Sports Arena. Kao Nsala, who was part of the men’s karate senior team at the 2024 African Games, won the Under-21 kata after perfect execution of Anan, which is a traditional method of recording a sequence of movements for offence and defence. The second position was claimed by Atang Motsewakhumo while Martin Motseke settled for the third spot. Lesego Masimola is the women’s individual kata champion. She was a member of the women’s kata team that brought a bronze medal from the 2024 African Games in Ghana. Charline Magalie finished second, taking home a silver medal and the bronze medal was shared by Shadica Cortzee and Thata Ngwanamotsoko.
Despite a tough competition at the African Games, Gofaone Quinton Mosupiemang redeemed himself by winning the men’s kumite +67kg with Johannes Gustavo settling for second position and the third spot was shared by Kenny Sempipeng and Mabikwa Otsile. Speaking to SportMonitor, Nsala said compared to other athletes, he had less time to prepare for the tournament because he was nursing his shoulder injury that he picked during the Africa Games held in March. “Nonetheless, I used the best of the little time I had to prepare for the Gabs Open tournament after completing my physiotherapy sessions in mid-April. The competition was tough because my opponents know my strength. I have competed with them before, I had to come up with a different strategy this time in order to pick the gold,” he said. The Gabs Open championships are an annual flagship event for Hayashi-Ha Karate.
