Photo: (L-R) Aiden Bouwer, Lethu Zulu, Sbonga Rabothata
Three students from Ermelo Karate Academy returned with medals after competing at the SKDIA Shotokan South Africa Championship, hosted by Sonkei Karate Dojo in Witbank on 5 September.
Lethu Zulu, Aiden Bouwer and Sbonga Rabothata represented the academy in the kumite divisions, with all three securing podium finishes.
Photo: Lethu Zulu
Zulu fought his way through four opponents to claim a silver medal, while Bouwer also earned silver after competing in three matches.
Photo: Aiden Bouwer
The competition saw an unfortunate all-Ermelo encounter in the quarter-finals when Bouwer and Rabothata were drawn against each other. Bouwer progressed from the match and went on to reach the final, where he secured his silver medal.
Photo: Sbonga Rabothata
Rabothata completed the academy's medal haul with a bronze medal in kumite.
The results were:
- Lethu Zulu — Silver, Kumite
- Aiden Bouwer — Silver, Kumite
- Sbonga Rabothata — Bronze, Kumite