Next stop Tokyo Japan

VANDERBIJLPARK. – Many karateka dream of it but very few will have the opportunity to visit The Land of the Rising Sun.  The reality and magnitude will probably only set in once Stephen Moeketsi (25), a final year B.ed student of the NWU’s campus in Vanderbijlpark, boards the flight to Tokyo, Japan.

Moeketsi recently qualified at the University Sport South Africa (USSA) tournament to represent the USSA team in the u/70kg category at the World Karate Dream Festival International All Style Championship that will take place from July 23-24 in Tokyo.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime and my last chance to make things happen. It will be my first time travelling overseas,” Moeketsi admits with a big smile.

Even though he is first dan black he has never had to use his martial arts skills to defend himself. “I started karate 11 years ago. I had a lot of anger in me and I decided to channel it through karate,” Moeketsi explains.

This young man from Sebokeng is a self proclaimed karate fanatic. “I surround myself with people who are into karate. I eat, drink and sleep karate. My students and fellow karatekas are my family. My life revolves around karate”

What makes this achievement even more extraordinary is that he is mostly self taught. According to him the difference between an average and an exceptional martial artist is commitment, humility, patience, respect and a love for the sport.

“My role model is Shihan Modli Songca from the Eastern Cape. He is sixty something and tough as nails. He is very passionate about the sport and his students are the cream of the crop,” Moeketsi admits.

According to Moeketsi, contrary to popular belief, katas are an integral part of a martial artist’s training. “It also called pre-arranged fighting. You perform fighting moves while you visualize your opponent standing in front of you.”

Come July Moeketsi and his teammates will have to be on top of their game, because the tournament is a full contact (Kyokushin) event. “The only rules are that you do not punch the face, kick under the belt, strike an opponent who is down or has his or her back turned.

Stephen is currently in charge of the campus’s karate club.  Moeketsi and his charges train on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 17:00-18:00. For more information about the club contact Stephen on 063 708 1522.

Caption: Stephen Moeketsi of NWU Vanderbijlpark has been selected to compete at World Karate Dream Festival International All Style Championship that will take place from July 23-24 in Tokyo, Japan.