Saturday 26 January 2019, Hall for the Disabled, Pretoria
The Solis Ortus team arrived at the hall bright and early, in good spirits and with lots of energy. The Solis Ortus Coaches, Tiaan Uys, Jacques Steenkamp, PW Pentz and Darius Peenze, attended the 07h15 briefing session to learn the ins-and-outs of coaching our Team.
Isabel Esterhuizen opened the Solis Ortus leader board, taking gold in the Girls Kumite 8-9 years 30kg+ division. Ethan Brazelle and Jayden van der Merwe followed, taking medals in the Boys Kata 7-9 years and Boys Kumite 8-9 years divisions. Jean van der Westhuizen, Dawid Esterhuizen, Sammy Letsoalo and Liam Lotter who made up the Solis Ortus Boys 6-8 years Development Team made a clean sweep, taking all the medals in this division.
Our youngest karateka, four-year old little fire cracker Yanika van der Westhuizen, fought her heart out in the Girls Kumite 6-7 years division. Thank you Coach Tiaan, you made Yanika fight like a champ!
The Boys 10-11 years had an exceptionally large division, with many first rounds for both kata and kumite. The Solis Ortus champions, Pieter Jordaan, Strauss Vosser and Derik Esterhuizen, however, showed fellow karateka why they should take note of the Solis Ortus team members. Boys, you can be very proud of your achievements and the medals you earned, you truly deserved them!
The Boys 12-13 years division was quite a spectacle! This is what karate is all about! Well done to our champions Thirq du Preez, Hein Dirkse van Schalkwyk, John-Henry du Toit and Theo Bezuidenhout. Despite an enormous division you all pushed through with amazing spirit and determination. Keep this up boys: you make Solis Ortus very proud!
Our young lady Carla Esterhuizen, what a champion! You couldn’t wait for your division to finally happen. When it did, you fought with urgency and accuracy!!
Boys 14-15 years – WOW! Great Karate! PW Pentz, Drian du Toit, Liam Snyman and Takgalo Letsoalo you were awesome! Despite the very long day, you were committed to the end! Hardus van Jaarsveld, we look forward to seeing you in action!
The Solis Ortus young guns, Christo Olivier, Darius Peenze and Aryn Maré who competed in the Men 16-17 years division, made other clubs take note! Keep up the commitment and spirit!
The Solis Ortus Seniors Men 18+ years went all out, despite the long day. Although for some the day already started way before 7h00 on Saturday morning, you all made us very, very proud! Jacques Steenkamp proved that continuous training pulls you through during tough times! Tiaan Uys, you really had a tough one. Your focus and commitment made you a champ! James van Zyl – WOW – your kata was amazing! Keep it up!
The Solis Ortus Senior Women 18+ years saw Hannelore (Lollie) Constable transform from a Shark to a Bull! Super proud of you Lollie. You had quite a couple of tough rounds, but you fought like a real Solis Ortus champion! Elmien Viljoen, we really do look forward seeing you in action again!
Karateka, coaches, parents and supporter friends all had a great day of competition. Our Solis Ortus All Style karateka are on the right track! Well done to every competitor! And, thank you for all the support and love shown by the Solis Ortus family.
Last, but not least, thank you to our dedicated coaches, Tiaan, Jacques, PW and Darius. Your commitment and endurance made this a memorable day for every Solis Ortus competitor!
Written by Leazill Peenze
