Eight Helderberg karate dojo members have been selected to represent the Western Cape at the prestigious MASA-WUKF South African National Championship and Afro-Asia Open, scheduled to be held from Wednesday 29 April to Sunday 3 May.
The Afro-Asia Open is a major international competition, with Gqeberha playing host to some of the world’s most accomplished martial artists.
The local contingent will compete against top-tier athletes from Scotland, USA, Réunion, Mauritius and Namibia.
The road to the nationals was not easy. The group secured their spots following dominant performances at the MASA-WUKF Western Cape Provincial Karate and Kobudo Championship held on Saturday 14 March.
Selection was based on a rigorous combination of podium finishes at the provincials and consistent performance across the annual ranking system. Only those who demonstrated excellence throughout the season earned the right to wear the provincial colours.
“Through podium finishes and consistent performance in the annual ranking system, we earned our places in the Western Cape team,” a team representative said, reflecting on the dedication required to reach this milestone.
