A dream of one day becoming the “South African Jet Li” has seen a 11-year-old boy from KwaNobuhle recently return from Durban as the second-best fighter in his age group at the Kofukan Tri-Nations karate tournament.
The medal gives little Anako Nokoyo bragging rights to call himself among the best fighters in the kofukan style in Southern Africa. In addition to his silver medal in kumite, Nokoyo also attained a gold in his age group of the kata.The Kruisrivier Primary School Grade 4 pupil said while the tournament was filled with highlights, including meeting new friends and of course fighting, he said the most memorable moment at last month’s tournament was staying in a hotel for the first time.
“It was a very exciting time for me, especially staying in the hotel. I have never stayed somewhere like that with all the food and the fancy rooms. It is very different from the rooms in my area,” Noyoko said.
“But other than that, it is definitely the fighting that I enjoy . . . I started karate in 2014 after I saw a Jet Li movie. I wanted to be the South African Jet Li and I still do – that’s why I keep going to training.”
Nokoyo’s mother, Thandiswa Ntlonga, said he had won several tournaments over the last four years, however the most recent medals proved to be the hardest earned.
“He fought 20 other boys, and to finish second overall – that is a very big achievement. Particularly at this national level as up to now he has only been competing provincially,” Ntlonga said.
Kruisrivier Primary school principal Gavin van Aardt said: “As a school we are immensely proud of our pupils who continue to achieve despite the dire circumstances many are faced with daily.”