This weekend all the Provinces in South Africa came together to compete against each other to achieve the highest goal they can in their karate journey. More than 3000 competitors entered to compete for their SA JKA colours. Solis Ortus stand proud to have entered 41 competitors between the ages 6 and 52.
On Friday the event was opened with the Special needs division. What a privilege to be part of such incredible talent. They worked so hard to come and show off their karate. After many tears of joy, all three of Solis Ortus karatekas achieved their SA JKA colours. Congratulations to Pieter, Julia and James. We are extremely proud of you and wish you only success.
The karatekas had to face huge divisions but our karate kids excelled through every division. Many received medals and Solis Ortus wants to congratulate everyone. May today’s success be the beginning of tomorrow’s achievements. To those who did not receive any medals, remember you are already winners as it took guts and hard work to get there. The fact that you participated makes you a winner, the fact that you put your feet onto the tatami’s (mats) makes you a winner. A medal cannot determine a winner from a looser it makes you strong in character and gives you a vision to strive higher. Keep on practising next year is on our doorsteps.
“We may encounter many defeats but we must NOT be defeated.”
Maya Angelou
On Saturday the Elite section came from all over the country to compete. Wow, what a day. Many karatekas prepared with a purpose not only to receive their SA JKA colours, but to be part of the 14th Gichin Funakoshi Cup in Ireland in August 2017. The quote “No guts, no glory” really came to impress itself amongst these competitors.
With mammoth divisions and hour after hour of hardships the victory came as a final demand. Solis Ortus wants to congratulate Sandra Erasmus, Elmien Viljoen and PW Pentz for qualifying for this prestigious event. Sensei Eugene is incredibly proud of you and wish you all the best. The sky is the limit.
Apart from our International stars Solis Ortus did well in the Elite group. To all the karatekas who received their SA JKA colours, well done. Solis Ortus cannot stress enough what a proud dojo we are of everyone’s achievement.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Teddy Roosevelt