Kimberley's Zenkutsu Karate Club in Galeshewe recently travelled to Gaborone, Botswana, where they participated in the prestigious Kanazawa Botswana Independence Cup Karate Tournament. Seen are all the athletes with their medals. Picture: Danie van der Lith
Karateka from Kimberley,s Zenkutsu Karate Club in Galeshewe recently travelled to Gaborone, Botswana, where they participated in the prestigious Kanazawa Botswana Independence Cup Karate Tournament on Saturday, October 5 2024.
This international event, hosted by Kanazawa Shotokan Karate-Do International Botswana, saw 15 karateka from Kimberley proudly representing their dojo and their city.
Under the expert guidance of Sensei Dawid Shaft Thebeyapelo, the team achieved remarkable success at the tournament. Their hard work and dedication paid off as they collectively brought home an impressive haul of 18 gold- and nine bronze medals.
These accomplishments not only reflect their individual skills but also emphasise the club’s commitment to fostering excellence in karate.
In addition to the good run in Botswana, the team remains focused on their larger mission, which is to continue participating in tournaments that promote their vision of whole-child development through karate. The club, therefore, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the local schools for allowing the young athletes to travel on Friday, enabling them to compete and gain valuable international experience.
A special thank you was also directed to the parents, whose unwavering support, both emotional and financial, has been instrumental in the club’s continued success.
Despite facing challenges like the lack of sponsorships, the parents’ contributions have ensured the club’s sustainability and even growth.
The Zenkutsu Karate Club also extended its deep appreciation to the Northern Cape Liquor Board, whose sponsorship of the athletes' gear made a significant difference. Thanks to their support, the team looked sharp and professional on the international stage, adding to the pride of the Kimberley and Galeshewe community.
As the club looks toward future tournaments, they hope to keep building on these achievements, both for the individual development of their athletes and the collective advancement of the club.
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