The selected team will compete at the Region V karate championships to be held in Namibia in June.
The Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) president, Mpho Bakwadi told SportMonitor that the results of the competition were an indication that the stakes were high. He also said it has always been tradition in karate for individuals to work extra hard and bring something special in order to qualify for the national team.
“There are no favours in karate; it is all about hard work and you could tell that it is exactly what we witnessed here. It also shows you that no matter our differences, when it comes to competition, such differences are put aside. Karate is the winner and the Under-21 team is the future; let us mould it together,” Bakwadi said.
Francistown-based Yun Genius Karate Academia won 10 medals, seven gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the competition. Ryushinkan had two teams from the Village Garrison karate club and Maun Karate Club, with Same Thani, Sarona Mogakolodi, Lethabo Matsetse and Valentino Koosaletse winning bronze medals in kumite. Ryushinkan chief instructor, Keorapetse Dube said there was a lot of improvement in terms of attendance and karatekas’ preparations. “There was growth from the previous edition; lots of challenges and exciting to see a lot of people.
We learnt a lot from this tournament and we should improve moving forward,” Dube said. Meanwhile, Dube appreciated the role that the BOKA executive committee played in preparing for the successful tournament. He admitted that challenges are always there such as age cheating but at the end of it all, the karate community should be united and grow the sport.
The Botswana Kofukan Federation (BKF) vice chairperson, Joseph Molodi, said his team did well, winning six gold medals and four silver medals. “But there were a few instances where I felt referees officiated in matches in which their students were participating and that was conflict of interest. No referee would like to see their students lose. The World Karate Federation (WKF) rules must be followed but unfortunately there is no one to enforce them as those at the top seem to encourage it,” he said. Molodi added that they had a few athletes competing because they were informed that only 14 years and above would be selected for the 2024 national team.
