History will be made this Saturday (9 August), as Rusthof-based Seikikan Goju Ryu dojo will proudly host its first-ever karate tournament.
The club has been the cornerstone of the community for 18 years and will be bringing together about 200 students from various clubs across the region for a day of impressive displays of skill and sportsmanship.
The Friendship Tournament, as it’s been aptly named, will kick off at the Dr GJ Joubert Primary School hall at 08:00. Spectators are warmly welcomed to witness the action, with tickets priced at R20 for adults and R10 for children.
Beyond the thrilling competition, the event will also serve as a vital fundraiser for the Seikikan Goju Ryu dojo, with food and various stalls available throughout the day.
Sensei Richard Kloosman, the driving force behind Seikikan Goju Ryu, expressed his excitement about the momentous occasion. “This will be our first-ever tournament,” he shared. “We always participate in events, but we’ve never hosted before. Now is the time!”
The dojo, which started in 2006-’07 at Rusthof Primary School and has called the Methodist Church hall on the corner of Fourth Street and Broadlands Road home for the past decade, has been a consistent presence in the community.
“It’s a lot of work to host and prepare students for the tournament,” Kloosman admitted, highlighting the dedication of his 50 students. “We’ve focused intensely on preparing for this event.”
The tournament, supported by the Boland Karate Association, will feature students ranging from six years old to adults and seniors, competing across various age divisions and disciplines.
Participants from around seven clubs, including those from Cape Town, Strand, and Kuils River, are expected to demonstrate their prowess in kata and kumite this weekend.
A particularly anticipated event will be unison kata, where a team of three performs in perfect synchronisation.
For Kloosman, who grew up in Macassar and has resided in Strand for 25 years, this tournament is more than just a competition.
“The highlight for me is that people must come enjoy a legitimate sport that unites the community, and the skills are something to behold,” he emphasised.
“Come appreciate the skills, come get involved. It is a recognised sport that should receive consideration from the community.”
The entire community is invited to show their support.
๏ฎFor more information, interested individuals can call or send a WhatsApp message to Kloosman on 083 999 9314.
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