Goju-Kai Global Championships 2017
The 7th Goju-Kai Global World Championships 2017 was recently held from 28-Sep to 1-Oct 2017 in Richmond, Canada. 28 countries were represented, with a total number of 592 competitors and total division entries 1092.
This event takes place every 4 years and moves from continent to continent each time. Goju-Kai Namibia has had a successful history at these championships in the past and has attended each one except the 2nd one that took place in San Paulo, Brazil in 1997. Goju-Kai Namibia sent a team of 33 participants ranging from the ages of 11 to 48 years of age. Part of the participating team was Renshi Leonard Martin, previous multiple gold medallist and world champion at this prestigious event. This year was the most successful championships to date, with a tally of 16 medals, 4 of these being gold. The detailed results of the championships are as follows:
Results from the Karate (7th Goju-Kai Global World Championships – Richmond, Canada 28-Sep to 1-Oct 2017). 4 new world champions for Namibia – best performing Namibia Goju-Kai team in history.
Day 1:
– Gold – Renshi Leonard Martin – Masters Male (Kata)
– Silver – Renshi Leonard Martin – Masters Male (Kumite)
– Bronze – Katelin Martin – U21 Female Kata
– Bronze – Shihan Ryan Geyser – Masters Male (Kumite)
Day 2:
– Gold – Bryan Nakambonde
– U21 Male (Kumite)
– Silver – 14/15 Male Team (Kata)
– Bronze – 14/15 Male Bunkai (Kata Application)
– Bronze – 12/13 Male Team (Kata)
Day 3:
– Gold – Emilio Joseph – 12/13 – 45kg Male (Kumite)
– Bronze – Joshua Schiebler – 12/13 -50kg Male (Kumite)
– Bronze – JD Roussouw
– 12/13 -40kg Male (Kumite)
– Bronze – Anthony Palmer – 12/13 Male (Kata)
Day 4:
– Gold – Rassie Esterhuizen
– 14/15 +70kg Male (Kumite)
– Bronze – Jayden Koopman – 16/17 -61kg Male (Kumite)
– Bronze – Anco Snyman
– 16/17 +70kg Male (Kumite)
– Bronze – Danika Blaauw – 14/15 -54kg Female (Kumite)
A specific highlight was when Renshi Leonard Martin won his Masters Division Kata to gain his 3rd gold medal and Goju-Kai Global World Champion title after 12 years of not competing. This achievement is truly treasured by the team management and all participants, even those that didn’t bring home medals, did our club and our country proud. Preparation for the next championships that will take place in Japan in 2021 is already being planned, with specific coaching and training being planned to ensure we maintain our performance.
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