Two Karatekas from Delta Karate Academy who took part in the 10th International KOM Karate Cup in Gaborone over the weekend have brought home two bronze medals. The tournament attracted 16 karate clubs across the country and around 350 athletes.
Four Karatekas from the Maun based academy were sent to take part in the cup.
Ezekiel Dacumos took part in the male under 10 Kumite and kata open category, Yaone Kgagamedi in the male under 14years Kumite and kata under 50 kg category, Hadia Seokamo male under 8 years Kumite open category while Lerang Seokamo participated in the male under 14 years Kumite under 50kg category. Seokamo and Kgagamedi won bronze medals and certificates of appreciation.
Speaking about the outcome, the academy’s Instructor Calvin Thuthuka told Times Sport that they did not have much time to prepare for the tournament due to the fact that it clashed with the school examinations period. Most of their athletes, he explained, did not attend training daily while some arrived late during training sessions.
Thuthuka has since applauded the athletes on the impressive results despite challenges they faced. He indicated that they arrived in Gaborone on the day of the event, and this did not give them time to prepare mentally adding that they did not even have time for team talk.
Thuthuka appreciated that though they did not win big at the tournament, the event provided a learning curve for them and that it was also a benchmarking opportunity.
“I am proud of my boys, they fought a good battle without giving up,” he applauded them.
Meanwhile, Thuthuka has lamented that the academy is facing challenges of lack of training equipment. He stressed that it becomes difficult to train without equipment because other karate techniques and drills cannot be performed on the floor.
‘‘Lack of transport and accommodation during the competitions also affects us negatively, most of our athletes cannot attend due to financial difficulties. Imagine training 30 students then only four of them manage to attend,’’ Thuthuka said.
The founder of the tournament Kabelo Molefe explained that the main aim of the International KOM Karate Cup which was established in 2011 is to change the lives of the kids through sports and to keep them away from social ills.
He said that over the years the event has shown great potential in developing the athletes and has attracted international karate clubs. Molefe stated that the tournament also gives athletes an opportunity to showcase their different skills and techniques hence gaining recognition.
