Junior karateka Alexis Maniram secured a bronze medal in the Juniors Elite division at the JKA Indo-Pacific Cup, held at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex in Mauritius from 25 to 27 September 2026.
Miss Maniram, who trains with S.A. JKA Karate, represented South Africa at the tournament, which brought together delegations from 24 countries across the Indo-Pacific region. Her third-place finish earned her a place on the international podium.
Hosted by JKA Mauritius, the tournament opened with a ceremony presided over by Mauritian President Dharambeer Gokhool. Ambassadors, high commissioners and the heads of the participating delegations were also in attendance.
Before the competition, the South African team took part in a training session alongside visiting Japanese grand champions on 22 September. The session provided an opportunity for the team to train with experienced international karateka ahead of the tournament.
For Miss Maniram, an orange-belt competitor, the experience formed part of her preparation for the Juniors Elite division and offered exposure to karate at a high level.
She also joined her teammates in the opening ceremony, where the South African flag was carried into the sports complex alongside those of the other participating nations.
Representing South Africa placed Maniram among a group of athletes competing on behalf of their country, supported by their clubs, coaches and families. The tournament gave her an opportunity to apply her training in an international competition.
Her bronze medal marked a personal achievement in her development as a junior karateka. Competing in the Juniors Elite division required her to put her technical preparation into practice under tournament conditions.
The result followed the training and physical preparation undertaken before the event. Alongside the competition itself, the opportunity to train with visiting Japanese champions added to the experience gained during the trip.
The podium finish gives Miss Maniram a result to build on as she continues training with S.A. JKA Karate. Her participation also provided experience of competing outside South Africa and adapting to an international tournament environment.
For other young karateka, her achievement offers an example of the opportunities available through continued training and competitive participation. It also highlights the role of coaches, clubs and families in supporting junior athletes as they progress in the sport.
Alexis Maniram returned from Mauritius with a bronze medal, international competition experience and the opportunity to have trained alongside Japanese grand champions, marking a significant milestone in her karate journey.