The Joza Karate Club held its end-of-year gradings at the Joza Indoor Sports Centre last Saturday where a club record number of karateka moved on to higher belts.
The Joza Karate Club held its end-of-year gradings at the Joza Indoor Sports Centre last Saturday where a club record number of karateka moved on to higher belts.
Gradings were conducted by Sensei Gary Grapentin, head instructor at the East Cape Shotokan-Ryu (ECSR) club, who was assisted by Joza club instructor Sensei Mzwandile Matebese. Fingo Karate Club instructor Sempai Xolani Mahala and Sempai Eugin Bornman of the Rhodes University Shotokan Karate Club were also on the panel.
In total 27 students from Joza Karate Club graded on the day, which is the highest number since its inception. An excited Matebese said, “That to me shows that the number of township children joining karate is increasing every year.
Joza Karate Club grading results:
Sesihle Matebese (junior yellow belt)
Qhamani Matebese (junior yellow)
Lisa Makana (yellow)
Lethu Libi Jnr (orange)
Lisolomzi Paliso (junior orange)
Qhayisa Sisilana (orange)
Siphesihle Mbekela (orange)
Siphesihle Silumko (orange)
Esona Gogwana (orange)
Gcobisa Gogwana (orange)
Siyahluma Mandabana (orange)
Abongile Sinqoto (orange)
Linolonwabo Makana (orange)
Sisipho Sofisa (orange)
Ayabulela Ngqele (orange)
Baye Fall (orange)
GJ Oerson (junior green)
Cecil Baartman (junior green)
Lufefe Sityi (junior green)
Qhamani Manentsa (green)
Lihle Libi (blue)
Sifiso May (blue)
Somila Soko (blue)
Aphiwe Matiwana (blue)
Nobuhle Chiliza (junior purple)
Bonani Kutsi (purple)
Simphiwe Dlephu (purple 1)