{"id":294466,"date":"2025-11-20T13:46:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T11:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/?p=294466"},"modified":"2025-11-20T13:48:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T11:48:25","slug":"youngest-kickboxer-awarded-global-black-belt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/youngest-kickboxer-awarded-global-black-belt\/","title":{"rendered":"Youngest kickboxer awarded global black belt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KARIEGA <\/strong>– Strydom’s Kickboxing Academy recently held its annual kickboxing grading on Saturday, 8 November, marking a day of remarkable achievements and excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the standout students grading was Sofia Khan (14), who successfully completed a gruelling four-hour and 30-minute grading session conducted by Shihan Francois Strydom, earning her a well-deserved black belt.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to her chief instructor, Shihan Francois Strydom, what makes Sofia’s accomplishment truly exceptional is her distinction as the youngest kickboxer currently affiliated with World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (WAKO) in the Eastern Cape to have received her black belt.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Her achievement not only highlights her extraordinary talent and determination but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring young individuals across the region,” he said.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Sofia’s kickboxing journey has been nothing short of impressive. Having begun kickboxing at Strydom’s at the age of four years old, she has spent the past 11 years demonstrating unwavering dedication to the sport.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Strydom added that today, Sofia proudly represents both her province and her country, holding positions on both the Eastern Cape and South African kickboxing teams. “This is undoubtedly a rare dual honour that underscores her exceptional calibre as a kickboxer.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Sofia’s story stands as a shining example of perseverance, discipline, and passion. These qualities will undoubtedly propel her to even greater heights in the future,” Strydom concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sofia Khan (14), earned her black belt at Strydom’s Kickboxing Academy, becoming the youngest WAKO-affiliated kickboxer in Eastern Cape.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":294467,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"65","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"Youngest EC kickboxer awarded global black belt","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"Sofia Khan, only 14, becomes the youngest kickboxer awarded black belt in the Eastern Cape. 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