Children and veterans alike stepped onto the mat at the Boardwalk Hotel and International Convention Centre in Gqeberha a fortnight ago, as South Africa’s finest karateka gathered to compete at the 2026 WUKF South African Karate Championships and Afro-Asia Open.

Among them, a group of twelve athletes from a small dojo in Zoo Park, Kraaifontein, arrived ready to show the country exactly what they were made of.

From 29 April to 3 May 2026, the World Union of Karate Federations South Africa, a registered member of WUKF World and affiliate of Martial Arts South Africa (MASA) hosted what proved to be a record-breaking championship.

Competitors from across South Africa were joined by international participants from Reunion Island, Mauritius and Scotland, competing across kata, kumite, kobudo and team events in novice, intermediate and elite categories.

For Mushin Kai Dojo, the journey to Gqeberha was the result of years of early mornings and relentless training. Led by Sensei Raynier Fourie, Mushin Kai Dojo sent twelve athletes to represent the WUKF Western Province team, a remarkable achievement for a club rooted in the heart of Kraaifontein.

Fourie himself took on a dual role at the championship, competing as an athlete while serving as one of the official Western Cape coaches throughout the tournament. Two of his own, Sempai Jayden Paulse and Sempai Tristan Snell were also selected as Western Cape coaches.

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Team Western Cape dazzle

The Western Cape team finished with an impressive tally of six gold, nine silver and five bronze medals, and Mushin Kai’s athletes were at the heart of that haul. Daniel Fourie was one of the dojo’s standout performers, earning silver in individual kata, bronze in kumite, gold in team kata, and silver in team kumite.

Beside him, Kyle Cleopas added a kata bronze to the dojo’s tally before joining Fourie on the team kata podium with gold and team kumite with silver. Jayden Paulse placed fourth in individual kata and claimed a defining gold medal in Sanbon Kumite, adding a team kumite silver to round out a standout championship.

Tristan Snell competed in kata, took bronze in Sanbon Kumite, and then claimed gold in Ippon Kumite, adding a team kumite silver for good measure. Theo Scheffler showed his versatility, placing fifth in kata and claiming two bronze medals, one in Sanbon Kumite and one in Ippon Kumite.

Lerika van der Westhuizen brought composure and precision to her kata performance, earning a well-deserved silver medal. Marco Coetzee contributed a team kumite silver, while Connor Roos battled hard to a fourth-place finish in both individual and team kumite. Danel Botha rounded out the team with a fifth-place kata finish. And Fourie himself stepped off the coaching bench and onto the mat to claim a team kumite gold medal.

“The dojo’s achievements are a testament to the hard work, discipline and dedication shown by both the athletes and coaching team. Their success has brought great pride to the Kraaifontein community and highlights the incredible talent developing within local sport.” Fourie told TygerBurger on Friday.