GEORGE NEWS - The 10-year-old 'karate kid', John Arnold, received his SA colours in the sport for the fourth consecutive time in Johannesburg last weekend, on 23 and 24 May.
Competing in the 2025 JKA World Federation Africa Cup in the Ellis Park Arena, John sparred his way to a silver medal in kumite, boys aged 10, red belt division.
In karate, categories are separated by belt, age and gender, which means John only competed against athletes of the same age, gender and belt grading as he. Trained by Terry-Lee Sullivan of Sullivan's Karate Dojo in George, John has been practising the sport since he was four and hopes to start competing internationally from next year, once he passes the brown belt grading.
John currently competes in the novice division, of which the pinnacle is a national competition on home soil. Should he graduate to brown belt with his next grading, John will then move up to competing in the elite competition on national level, which opens the door to international competition.
Bursting with pride, his mother, Sarette, said karate is an incredible sport. Besides the physical benefits of muscle and core strength, she said it also teaches kids discipline, respect, confidence and essential conflict resolution skills to avoid fights.
John Arnold of Sullivan's Karate Dojo in George shows off the silver medal he earned over the weekend.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
