Saska puts on another great karate exhibition
STAFF REPORTER
WITH hearts pumping and adrenaline flowing, the 2012 South African Shotokan Karate Academy (Saska) East Coast Karate Open (SECKO) championships took place at the Fish River Sun on Saturday.
With five competitions taking place at any one time, the main halls were abuzz with activity as young boys and girls together with young men and women, prepared themselves for competition. Anxious parents looked on as their children took to the mats.
| NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES: Xander Barkhuizen of the Mance Karate Centre took a blow to the head when fighting Juan Smit of the Dragon Suburbs Club, both from Port Elizabeth, at the Saska East Coast Karate Open held at the Fish River Sun on Saturday. Paramedics were on hand throughout day and, after careful examination, Barkhuizen was allowed to continue, eventually winning the 11-year-old boys' competition. Smit managed second place despite a sterling effort from Michael Muller of Jeffrey's Bay, who took third place Picture: ROB KNOWLES |
A record number of 450 karateka from 21 clubs competed at this year's championships, and included karate practitioners from the styles of Shotokan, Shorin-Ryu, Shito-Ryu and Goju-Kai.
To accommodate the growing demand to enter this prestigious event, a fifth arena was included for the first time. With a number of national and international champions, the men's and ladies' senior black belt categories produced karate of the highest calibre.
Rhodes University Shotokan karateka Brittany Denton won the senior ladies' kata, while Cassandra Krause of Baysville Goju-Kai (East London) was the winner of the senior ladies' kumite. Earlier in the day, Denton was also the gold medallist in both the junior ladies' (18-20 years of age) black belt kata and kumite categories.
Clayton Thom of Hillside Goju-Kai (Port Elizabeth) convincingly won the senior men's kata. The kumite, however, proved to be a much more closely contested event, with Thom facing up against old rival Shaun Kapp of Dragon Suburbs (Port Elizabeth).
At full time, both fighters were equal, and it was only during the dying seconds of the extension that Thom was able to clinch victory. Organiser Gary Grapentin described the match as a fitting way to end the championship. He also complimented both fighters on their sportsmanship and fighting spirit.
| GIRL POWER: The winners of the ladies' kata finals, were (from left) Warda Mallick of Hillside Goju-Kai in second place, Brittany Denton of Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club in first place and Cassandra Krause of Baysville Goju-Kai in third place Picture: SUPPLIED |
Premier category results:
Ladies' kata:
1st: Brittany Denton (Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club).
2nd: Warda Mallick (Hillside Goju-Kai).
3rd: Cassandra Krause (Baysville Goju-Kai).
Ladies' kumite:
1st Casandra Krause (Baysville Goju-Kai).
2nd: Warda Mallick (Hillside Goju-Kai).
3rd: Melissa Thom (Hillside Goju-Kai).
Men's kata
1st: Clayton Thom (Hillside Goju-Kai).
2nd: Shaun Kapp (Dragon Suburbs).
3rd: Jacques Roux (Baysville Goju-Kai).
Men's kumite
1st: Clayton Thom (Hillside Goju-Kai).
2nd: Shaun Kapp (Dragon Suburbs).
3rd: Jotham Titus (Hillside Goju-Kai).
For the second consecutive year Hillside Goju-Kai were the winners of the katana trophy for the best club at the championship. King Karate Club (King William's Town) were runners up, followed byBaysville Goju-Kai. The points for the top three clubs were as follows:
Hillside Goju-Kai 720
King Karate Club 570
Baysville Goju-Kai 395
Grapentin also announced at the championship that his federation, East Cape Shotokan-Ryu would be hosting internationally respected New Zealand karateka, Sensei Andre Bertel in February 2013. 
Bertel received private instruction from the late Japanese karate master, the legendary Sensei Tetsuhiko Asai and is regarded as one of the leading practitioners of Asai-ha Shotokan-Ryu Karate.
The venue for the seminar has not yet been determined, but Grapentin confirmed that it would definitely be held in the Eastern Cape.
For further information regarding the seminar, Grapentin may be contacted on 073-346-0059 or at garyg@geenet.co.za.