Shotokan Karate Championships

ABOUT 150 karateka competed at this year's East Cape Shotokan-Ryu (ECSR) and Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Championships, held on the Rhodes campus last weekend.

FIGHTING FEMALES: Rhodes students (from left) Stephanie Graham won silver for kata and bronze for kumite, Brit Denton won gold for kata and kumite and Simone Heymans won bronze for kata and silver for kumite at the East Cape Shotokan-Ryu and Rhodes Shotokan Karate Championships last weekend Picture: SUPPLIED

Brit Denton (Rhodes) was the winner of the ladies' open kata (forms) and kumite (fighting) categories, while Nolan de Maar (ECSR, Albany) went on to win the men's open kata and kumite categories.

Both Denton and De Maar have previously represented the Junior Protea National Team.

More than 40% of the championship entrants were female, highlighting the growing popularity of karate among girls and women.

The following members of ECSR's Kowie Karate Academy won medals:

Jordan Doyle – Gold for kata and kumite

Erin Coltman – Bronze for kata and gold for kumite

Alizwa Jezi – Gold for kata and silver for kumite

Neo Ndzima – Bronze for kumite

Overall club results:

ECSR – 21 gold medals, 18 silver and 23 bronze

Makana – 21 gold medals, 18 silver and 8 bronze

Joza – 11 gold medals, 14 silver and 14 bronze

Rhodes – 4 gold medals, 6 silver and 6 bronze

Fingo – 2 gold medals, 1 silver and three bronze

Local karateka will be hoping for good results at the SASKA National Championships in Benoni in July, and the SASKA East Coast Karate Open Championships at Fish River Sun in August.

TOP MEN: Mzwandile Matebese (left) of Joza won silver for kata and bronze for kumite, Nolan de Maar of East Cape Shotokan-Ryu (ECSR) won gold for kata and kumite and Eugin Bornman of Rhodes won bronze for kata and silver for kumite at the ECSR and Rhodes Shotokan Karate Championships last weekend Picture: SUPPLIED