World Championships | Shotokan South Africa

Team SZA attending the WUKF World Championships in Sweden, Jul 2025

admin — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:51:00 +0000

On Monday, 16 Jun 2025, we presented the SZA team, who will be attending the 13th WUKF World Karate Championships in Sweden (09-13 Jul 2025), with their new kit, which included their KSA shirts. This team will travel to Sweden under the auspices of KSA!

We also received the following message of support from the KSA President:

“To the Leadership Management & Athletes

As the President of Karate South Africa (KSA) I wish to extend my sincere good wishes to the delegation of KSA Athletes & officials travelling on an International Tour to Sweden for a Major Karate Event

May I urge you, The Management & athletes to Represent our “Rainbow Nation “ South Africa with Pride

“BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE “ success I believe is within your grasp

Best sporting regards

Sonny Pillay Hanshi

President: Karate South Africa (KSA)”

11th WUKF Karate World Championships, Scotland 2023

admin — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 07:48:21 +0000

The 10 member Shotokan-ZA National Karate Team competed at the 2023 WUKF World Karate Championships in Scotland from 13-16 July 2023, accompanied by Shotokan-ZA coaches, Mari du Preez and Morrie Swart.

“The WUKF Karate World Championship is the biggest karate tournament of its kind, as over 1500 competitors participated this year,” explained Sensei Mari du Preez, Shotokan-ZA National Coach, WUKF Athletes & Coaches Commission Member.

The national team was selected in October 2022 and has been preparing for the championships since then. Despite being an inexperienced international team, they managed to excel on the international stage!

Jordan Trow (11), won gold in Kata and bronze in Combat, and we are extremely proud of his dedication, hard work and stellar performance at the World Championships!

Of the remaining team members, 5 placed top ten, which attest to their commitment to their preparation and skill level. Christos Prokas (12) placed 4th in Kata, Beau Kruger (13) placed 5th in Kumite, Schuyler Booysen (16) placed 6th in Kumite, Zahra Klassen (12) and Petra Smit (60) both placed 10th in Kata.

The 2 officials, Senseis Elmarie van Zyl and Petra Smit, who accompanied the team, received their international WUKF judging qualifications. Sensei Elmarie van Zyl, Shotokan-ZA Federation Head, received her international Referee B qualification, which makes her the 2nd highest WUKF qualified official in South Africa!

TOGETHER WE CAN DO THE BEST KARATE IN THE WORLD!

#WUKF #proudtobeWUKF #karateforall

Read the Fourways Review’s article: Local team rakes in karate medals. 25 Aug 2023

Read the Mossel Bay Advertiser’s article: Local boy, Schuyler Booysen outstanding at World Karate Champs, 17 Aug 2023

10th WUKF Karate World Championships, Florida, USA 2022

admin — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 11:05:00 +0000

Congratulations to Debbie Schoombee on her gold medal for Kobudo (long weapons), which she won at the 10th WUKF World Karate Championships, held from 4-7 July 2022, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA!!!!!

We are also very proud of Sensei Elmarie van Zyl who received her Judge A qualification at the Championships. Debbie, together with coach Mari du Preez, who both also judged at the Championships, receive their Judge B qualifications!

TOGETHER WE CAN DO THE BEST KARATE IN THE WORLD!

#WUKF #proudtobeWUKF #karateforall

9th WUKF Karate World Championships, Romania 2021

admin — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:01:16 +0000

Senseis Elmarie van Zyl (Federation President) and Mari du Preez (Shotokan-ZA National Coach) had a wonderful time attending courses, seminars and meetings as members of the Afro-Asia Commission, Adapted Commission and the Coaches Commission; as well as officiating and coaching at the 9th WUKF Karate World Championships in Cluj-Napoca, Romania from 23-26 September 2021!

Members scoop medals at the 2019 WMO World Championships

admin — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 16:39:19 +0000

In November 2019, some of our members were selected by Full Contact Martial Arts to participate at the World Martial Arts World Championships 2019, as part of the South African Team.

Our members, Lezario Louw (BSK Tigers), Demira Naran , Mari du Preez, Thomas Parry, Bryce Hornby (Kyalami Shotokan Karate), Stefan Schonborn (Samurai Karate Centre) and Lisa Schnetler (Luiperds Karate Club), were very successful and brought back a number of medals!

Members included in the FCMA SA Team

admin — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 10:00:19 +0000

We would like to congratulate the following members on being selected by Full Contact Martial Arts to participate at the World Martial Arts World Championships 2019, as part of the South African Team:

Lezario Louw (BSK Tigers)
Demira Naran (Kyalami Shotokan Karate)
Mari du Preez (Kyalami Shotokan Karate)
Stefan Schonborn (Samurai Karate Centre)
Lisa Schnetler (Luiperds Karate Club)
Thomas Parry(Kyalami Shotokan Karate)
Bryce Hornby (Kyalami Shotokan Karate)

We also have the following officials, Lisel Steyn (Samurai Karate Centre) and Werner Schnetler (Luiperds Karate Club) included in the Team.

The South African Team will depart on Friday evening for Blackpool, England. The Championships will take place on 04-06 Nov 2019.

We wish them all the best!

#TeamSZA medals at the WUKF World Karate Championships, Jun 2018

admin — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 19:48:53 +0000

Congratulations to Walner Strydom and Nianza Tshabalala with their silver medals for Kata and to Thomas Parry with his bronze medal for Shobu Ippon Kumite, at the 7th WUKF World Karate Championships, Dundee, Scotland!!!!!
#ProudlySouthAfrican #WUKF2018 #?

FOURWAYS Review: Shotokan-ZA team competes in WUKF World Championships

admin — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 19:42:49 +0000

KYALAMI – The Shotokan-ZA National Karate Team are in Scotland to compete in this year’s World Union of Karate-Do Federation World Championships in June.

June 14, 2018

The 14-person team, four officials and team supporters flew out of OR Tambo on 10 June to attend the WUKF World Karate Championships. Photo: Mari du Preez

The Shotokan-ZA National Team is currently in Scotland to represent South Africa at the seventh World Union of Karate-Do Federation (WUKF) World Karate Championships.

The 14-member team, as well as four officials (referees and coaches) and team supporters, left South Africa on 10 June from OR Tambo airport to travel to Dundee, Scotland to compete.

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