Karatekas preparing for battle

Martial art fans can look forward to an electrifying weekend of kicks, punches, and adrenaline filled action at the Namibia Karate Federation (NKF) All Styles National Junior and Senior Championships.



Close to 300 karatekas from all over Namibia will participate and unleash their skills at the Indoor Sport Complex in Walvis Bay on 18 and 19 October. The female and male grand champions for 2024, will also be crowned at the event. Candidates must compete in various categories and accumulate points with better performances than their peers to be considered for this accolade.



“Brandon Lee Martin and Keanu Stuurman shared the senior men's title last year and are expected to go head to head once again. The lady's title is vacant and we hope to crown a champion this year,” said Sensei De Wet Moolman, the acting president of the NKF.



According to Moolman, children from the age of eight and adults (female and male karatekas aged 30) will compete at the yearly championship, which has been hosted for more than 40 years now. “We are excited about the youth and a lot of upcoming talent in the 16 to 18 age categories. The crowd will be treated with the best karate talent from All Styles of karate under World Karate Federation rules. Spectators can expect high quality performances in Kata (involving segments of technique and forms) and Kumite (fighting an opponent),” Moolman explained.



He invited everybody to come and experience the intensity of a top class competition and the spirit of sportsmanship with athletes from all over Namibia vying for the championship titles. “The day will produce thrilling matches and inspiring performances coupled with a vibrant atmosphere. Namibia will host the Region 5 Youth Games slated for May 2025 in Windhoek, and we are building towards this event.”



Namibia will also send a team to the Commonwealth Championship in Durban South Africa in November 2024 and the Region South Tournament in Botswana in May 2025. A team from The Land of the Brave will also compete at UFAK African Continental Championships from 25 to 27 in Abuja Nigeria. These are yearly events hosted by different countries. Trials are usually held in February where teams are selected to compete at various tournaments throughout the year.



Moolman said that the overall standard of Namibian Karate is good. “We produce consistent performances and are ranked in the top three in Southern Africa. Our female divisions are very competitive and of continental quality. Namibia hosted a very successful UFAK Region 5 Karate Championships in Swakopmund at the MTC Dome in June. Our karatekas gave a good account of themselves and finished in second position behind South Africa and out of the seven countries participating. They won 21 gold, 27 silver and 58 bronze medals.”