JKA Gauteng Champs 2017

What a weekend!

Solis Ortus wants to congratulate all our karatekas who competed this weekend. You all worked so hard for this moment to achieve your highest expectations. Well done. To Solis Ortus you are all CHAMPIONS!

Solis Ortus did exceptionally well this weekend at the JKA Gauteng Tournament held at the Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg on Friday and Saturday. Our contestants were well prepared and their spirits were on a high.

On Friday our Novice Champs (White to Red Belt and Disabled) arrived bright and early at the arena to face their challenge to become National champs in May. They were not deterred by die traffic which we all experienced travelling to the venue.  They arrived ready and amped!

Some of the divisions were very big, but our contestants had the heart of a tiger. Competition was tough but with all the preparation and hard work the results were outstanding.

There were 97 divisions in which Solis Ortus participated. The overall standard of the tournament was extremely high and our karatekas never fail to impress.

Solis Ortus had 38 karatekas registered in the Novice and Disabled divisions. The first 8 places secured a place to compete for SA JKA National colours in May.

It is amazing to see how each karateka has grown to become the best they can be. They have so much heart in what they do and accomplished their highest expectations. Sensei Eugene is extremely proud of every one of you.

On Saturday the Elite Junior to U/21 and Senior Elite black belt divisions took the floor with a roar. The standard was exceptionally high and some divisions took almost two hours to complete. Solis Ortus contestants persevered and came out on top of each division.

Red belts who aimed to qualify for International participation have to enter the Elite Section at the Provincial Tournament and the National Tournament, and need to be graded to brown belt before the 14th Gichin Funakoshi Cup (JKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS) in August 2017, if they qualify for the team.

To ensure the selection of the strongest possible team for the       14th Gichin Funakoshi Cup, to be held in Limerick, Ireland on 18th – 20th August 2017, kumite will be judged on a repecharge system.

Solis Ortus had 15 karatekas registered in the Elite division. The first 8 places secured a place to compete for SA JKA National colours in May.

Good luck to all our karatekas who qualified to go through to SA JKA Nationals in May. Train hard, improve yourself and reach your dream. “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”

Written by: Heilethe Calitz