Solis Ortus shone at KSA Tongaat 2018
With a great entourage, our Solis Ortus athletes arrived in eThekwini, meaning “bay/lagoon” to participate in the KSA Elite & SA Open Championship in Tongaat. Mention the name ‘Tongaat’ and the next word on the average South African’s lips is ‘sugar’. Tongaat is a sugar-producing town with a characteristically English colonial flavour that lies on the banks of the Tongati River, about 37 kilometres north of Durban. Tongaat is also the oldest Indian community in South Africa.
Seven of our top athletes, competed in this tournament the past weekend. As usual weigh-in is a day before and took place on the Friday. On Friday, Sensei Eugene attended a coach’s course and examination at the Tropicana Hotel in Durban on the Marine Parade. It is with pride to acknowledge our sensei on being one of only 3 people to pass both the kata and kumite coaches accreditation.
Saturday all kata divisions, except the Veterans and Masters; Opens and Elite kumite up to 14 years took place. Sunday all kumite divisions continued for 14+ years old as well as the Veteran and Masters divisions. Solis Ortus wants to congratulate the following athletes who competed and received their medals.
KSA Opens: Milan Kruger – Kumite (Gold); Drew Dupuy – Kata (Fell out) and Kumite (Silver); and PW Pentz – Kata (Fell out).
KSA Elite: Pieter Jordaan Kata (Bronze) and Kumite (Silver); Savanah Hauser – Kata (Bronze); PW Pentz – Kumite (Gold); Thirq du Preez – Kumite (Fell out); and Hanelore Constable – Kumite (Gold).
Karate South Africa honoured all the Protea athletes who have represented the country internationally (July 2017- Botswana tour 2018) to attend a Gala dinner banquet preceding the Elite /SA Open Championships on Friday evening. Chief guest of honour for the Annual event is Mr Gideon Sam President of SASCOC.
All our athletes representing South Africa came dressed up in their green and gold to receive their trophies. Savannah, Hannelore, PW and Thirq, Solis Ortus salute you with pride and wish you all the best for 2019.
Some came home after the Championship and some stay behind to enjoy the warm sun alongside the Dolphin coast. Some collected seashells, some brought home a fresh spirit of enthusiasm and some can’t wait to see you all again.
It is an honour to be part of such a successful and proactive dojo. Thank you to sensei Eugene who is always hands-on with our athletes and all the rules and regulations of the sport. Thank you for being such an inspiration to our athletes, young and old. Especially thank you for your time and effort you put into our athletes to become the greatest they can be.
“When it comes to performance standards, it’s not what you preach, it’s what you tolerate.” Jocko Willink
Benjamin Disraeli said: “Seeing much, suffering much, and studying much are the three pillars of learning.” So, the more you sweat the luckier you get.
Written by: Heilethe Calitz
