GEORGE NEWS - In a remarkable achievement, 19 students from George have been selected to represent the Goju Kai South Africa team at the eighth Karate-Do Goju Kai Global Championships.
This event, set to take place in Chiba, Japan in 2025, marks a historic first for the local dojo led by sensei Samantha Williams.
Since opening her dojo, Goju Kai George, nine years ago, Williams has nurtured and trained numerous young karatekas, but this is the first time her students will compete on world championship level.
"I am really proud of each and every kid who was selected for this tournament," says Williams.
"Besides the opportunity to experience a different culture, getting to meet an experienced instructor like Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi will leave a lasting impression.
"I hope this can inspire other children in George to see that through dedication and hard work they can achieve great heights."
Through the years Williams has seen the positive impact karate can have on a child.
This led her to open dojos in Pacaltsdorp and Rosemoor to give those communities the opportunity to open up a different world for themselves.
"My motto is that karate is not just a sport, but a lifestyle, and through it, children can learn how to find the best of themselves within," she says.
The students were selected during the Goju Kai National Championships on the weekend of 7 August.
Frank Brandon of the Global Championship Organising Committee emphasises the significance of this opportunity, noting that it has been 32 years since Japan last hosted the inaugural Global Championship.
"This will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Brandon says.
"It is a privilege for any karateka to participate in an event hosted by Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi, who is 83 years old.
"The next time Japan will host this tournament will be in 42 years, as it rotates every four years across different continents."
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