Nihon Karate Kyokai insists on joining BOKA

Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday, June 19, 2024 2:14 PM

“We have submitted our application, but at this time we have not received a response from BOKA. We are not new members, we just changed our name after we moved from JKA Botswana, so I think it should be a seamless process,” Tuelo Fish Masilo, chief instructor of Nihon Karate Kyokai, told Mmegi Sport. The karate style held its second edition of the Bandleng Ngwana wa Mo Africa Karate Championship at the Lobatse City Park this weekend. Event organizer Keone Kgorotlhe said the championship was a success as it attracted karatekas from Karate Nomichi, Botswana Kofukan Federation, Shotokan International Karate and Tenshinkan Federation Botswana. Participants came from places such as Good Hope, Bobonong, Gaborone, Thamaga and Otse. “The championships were open to all styles. The activities started on Friday with the commemoration of the Day of the African Child, with a walk to sensitize the public on the dangers of substance and alcohol abuse. Like any other urban area in the country, Lobatse faces substance abuse challenges, especially among youth. Karate is about teaching discipline and I believe it is the right tool to fight against that. The leadership of the city council attended our event to express their support for our activity,” he said. Kgorotlhe said the first edition saw 100 athletes participate, while the second edition saw an increase to 150 students.

He said most of the students were part of the first edition. Lerang Modisane took a gold medal to become the under-eight champion, beating Charis Lelentle Kizika who settled for silver, while the bronze medal went to Bonolo Lekaba. Theo Medupe, Kgato Moreeng and Waone Kgorotlhe secured double gold medals in kata and kumite in the same category. “There was an interesting battle between Yaone Kgorotlhe and Theo Medupe in the boys under-14 kata. The two were always regular participants in national team selections and won medals. Kgorotlhe has always won when competing against Medupe, but this time things changed. Medupe claimed the title while Kgorotlha settled for second place. The two, along with Karowe Modisane, have always been consistent medal winners,” he said.