Okinawan Goju-Ryu championship a success
The Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate national championships was described as a success after several karatekas performed beyond their abilities at the Windhoek Show Grounds on Saturday.The event saw some of Namibia’s karate prospects battling each other for bragging rights and top honours.
Sensei Carl van der Merve, who is a senior instructor and organiser of the championship, said the event yielded desired results.
“This was our first event in three years because our annual competitions were disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“It was a great occasion because our students had a great opportunity to participate at a national level.
“I am very happy because one could see that the instructor worked very hard and the children also worked very hard,” he said.
Discipline
Van der Merve emphasised the importance of taking on karate as a career.
He said the sport teaches discipline and this improves athletes' overall lifestyles.
“This sport is about discipline and that is why I urge parents to bring their children so they can compete in the sport.
“The problem is with parents who do not want to bring their children, but today am happy with the numbers,” he noted.
Winner of the blue and brown 16-17 open category Ane Olivier expressed her excitement after beating Jewel Slinger.
Olivier hopes she can become an even better karateka than she currently is.
“It was a very tough fight because I was fighting against someone I know and have trained with before.
“I am, however, happy that I won this fight and can just hope that I become better and better in my trade,” she said.
Results:
Girls orange and green 10-13 open:
First: Cathryn Claasen
Second: Hayle Nepgen
Third: Alexandra Kopitzara
Boys orange and green 10-11 under-35kg
First: Penda Atshipara
Second: Ngonga Sindana
Third: Joshua Hanstein
Girls blue and brown 16-17 open
First: Ane Olivier
Second: Jewel Slinger
Boys orange and green 10-11 under-45kg
First: Eduan Naude
Second: Danilo Jacobs
Third: Jessie Herero
Boys yellow 8-9
First: Oscar Van Reenen
Second: Ndipita Zatjirua
Third: Hardus Naude
Girls yellow 7-11
First: Laeya Carstens
Second: Kara Robberts
Third: Gina Robson
Boys yellow 10-11
First: Addy Samuka
Second: Liam Alcock
Third: Caiden Armstrong
Beginners boys 8-9
First: Chris-William Grane
Second: Tobias Iyambo
Third: Mathias Mathias