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