After the SA Youth Kungfu team’s success at last month’s second Africa International Youth Kungfu Championship, nine athletes from this team have been selected to compete in the 19th Hong Kong International Championship in August 2024.
“The Hong Kong Championship occurs annually in Ma On Shan, Hong Kong, China. This year it is anticipated that over 3 800 athletes from over 35 countries will compete in the three-day championship,” says Salma Natalie Doran, the SA Youth Kungfu team manager.
According to Doran, the SA Youth team will compete in San Da Chinese Kickboxing Full Contact Divisions, Taolu Hand and Weapons Form Divisions and Group Synchronised Events.
Three of the athletes that are in the youth team are from Goodwood, Edgemead, and Panorama and one is from Bellville while the rest are from other parts of the province.
‘Very optimistic’
M.J. Li, the coach of the SA Youth team, will also compete in the professional athlete’s division in Hong Kong. In 2018 and 2019 M.J. Li also took two youth teams to this championship where they won two gold, two silver and three bronze medals in 2018, and in 2019 the team walked away with seven gold and two silver medals.
The coach is very optimistic about the SA Youth Chin Woo Kungfu team’s performance at the upcoming championship saying that it’s a wonderful opportunity for them to represent South Africa and Africa in China.
“I have a few young athletes in the squad who have been under my training for eight years now, they’ve been to Hong Kong, China, with me before and this presents them with another great opportunity to showcase their skills on the world stage, I am confident they will do well,” says M.J. Li.
“The squad looks to maximize their four-month period to ensure adequate intensity levels for Hong Kong,” says Doran.
Fundraising
The group is currently raising funds for their Hong Kong trip. ‘The Kungfu car wash’ will take place every second Saturday. Their first car wash was already on Saturday 13 April, the next one will be on Saturday 27 April at 10:30 in Goodwood at 202 Paarl Street.
The team also has a Jive Comedy festival fundraiser show at the Baxter Theatre on Saturday 22 June and a fundraising gala dinner at Barron’s estate in Schaapkraal on Saturday 6 July.
M.J. Li and the SA Youth Kungfu Team depart for Hong Kong during the first week of August.
