Against all odds, Muhammad Saifullah Chafeker who was born without a left hand, will represent South Africa at the IKF World Kung fu Cup taking place in Turkey on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of September.
This young boy from Goodwood appears to be following in his father’s footsteps who has been training him for the past seven years. During this time he has accompanied his father to Hong Kong, China, to train and competed at the International Wushu/Kungfu Championships where he won gold in 2018 and 2019.
Saif, as he is better known, said he feels quite nervous, yet excited to be representing South Africa at the IKF World Kung fu Cup in Turkey.
Saif will be the only South African youth athlete at the Kung fu championship.
Muhammad Junaid M.J. Li Chafeker (M.J.Li), five times gold medallist and Legends of Kung fu World Champion, father of Saif, is currently meeting with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, local businesses and partners in the hope of raising funds for the Turkey championship.
‘My father inspires me’
The 14-year-old said, “my father inspires me a lot as he worked hard and against all odds to become a five-times gold medallist, Legends of Kungfu World Champion. Though I was born differently abled (without a left hand), I train and compete with and against able-bodied athletes. It is quite challenging, but it just motivates me to do my best”.
M.J.Li will also compete in the Special Grandmasters and Masters Divisions while in Turkey, but feels that the stage and scene are set for Saif as this is his opportunity to shine for South Africa.
M.J.Li will be hosting a Cape Town Youth Kungfu Tournament on the 27th of August and has been planning the First ever Africa Youth Kungfu Tournament coming to Cape Town on the 25th and 26th of November 2022 at The UCT Sports Centre.
His Grandmaster from China, Mr Jimmy Wong, will be among the special guests attending. It is anticipated that several hundred youth will participate in this Africa Youth Kung fu Tournament. Muhammad Saifullah and his father will depart for Turkey on 3 September, ready to represent their country with pride.
It is not just kicks and punches
His father will compete in the Masters’ Division at World Cup.
They feel confident and optimistic about their divisions and matches.
According to Chafeker, Kungfu is Chinese Martial Arts and is the mother of all Martial Arts in Asia.
“Kung fu allows us to harness and improve our Qi Flow, thus improving our holistic wellbeing.”
So it is not just kicks and punches, he adds.
