Competition, Events, Kumite, Results

KPC athletes perform at KSA Nationals

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Solis Ortus Karate Performance Centre (KPC) athletes cleaned up the medals at the Karate South Africa (KSA) Nationals held in Durban over the weekend of 5 to 7 March.

Eugene Oosthuizen sensei arrived in Durban on Thursday to prepare. The KPC highlights started with the coaches and referees meeting and training course on Friday. He, along with other coaches and refs, wrote exams on kata and kumite. Eugene sensei once again excelled, passing the kumite exam with a 98% mark, and the kata exam with 92%.

Eugene sensei with other coaches

On Friday afternoon, Eugene sensei held an informal KPC training session on the beach at Umdloti. The athletes trained hard, yet got the chance to relax before the action on Saturday and Sunday. They even had a dip in the sea before and after each day’s training.

Thriq du Preez training with one of the KPC parents, Robbie Brazelle
Karate training KPC style – on the beach
Fun in the waves after training

KPC entered nine athletes in the children’s division (7-13 years) and cadette division (14-15 years) that took place on Saturday and Sunday respectively. All nine athletes medaled and became National Champions!

In the children’s division on Saturday (which continued on Sunday), Eben Millard, Franco Vertue, Shiloh Verreyne Roos, Anica Myburgh, Ethan Brazelle, and Isabelle Esterhuizen all received gold medals, Jean van der Westhuizen took a silver, and Pieter Jordaan came in with a bronze. In the cadette division on Sunday, Thirq du Preez took  gold.

Eugene sensei and Thriq du Preez
Eugene sensei and Pieter Jordaan
Eugene sensei and Eben Millard
Eugene sensei and Anika Myburg (left) and Shiloh Verreyne Roos (right)
From left – Juan van der Westhuizen, Isabelle Esterhuizen, Eben Millard
Eugene sensei and Franco Vertue

Well done to Eugene sensei and all the KPC athletes. You made us proud yet again. Shows that dedication, effort, and great teachers pays!