Photo: The Twins standing with the Mpumalanga Karate Coach - (L.T.R) Chibuzo Okpugo, Sensei Dumile Mlungu, Chinedu Okpugo
Ermelo’s celebrated karate siblings, Chibuzo and Chinedu Okpugo, have capped off an incredible year of competition with top national rankings following their final showdown at the KSA League 2 Championship held in Gauteng on 18–19 October.
National Rankings and Results
After months of consistent podium finishes across provincial and national competitions, Chibuzo Okpugo now holds the No. 1 ranking in South Africa in the Elite Cadet Boys Kumite (14/15 years, under 70kg) division, while his twin brother Chinedu Okpugo has secured the No. 2 position nationally.
At the League 2 event, Chibuzo claimed Gold, with Chinedu following closely behind with Silver, marking a fitting end to their 2025 competition season.
A Year of Consistency and Excellence
The brothers’ achievements are the culmination of an extraordinary season that saw them excel in multiple major tournaments:
- Commonwealth Karate Championships (Durban, Dec 2024) – Chibuzo placed 5th; Chinedu finished 8th.
- Mpumalanga Provincial Championships (Feb 2025) – Chibuzo 1st, Chinedu 2nd.
- KSA National Championships (March 2025) – Chibuzo 3rd; Chinedu 5th.
- South African Open Championships (June 2025) – Chibuzo 2nd; Chinedu 1st.
- KSA Style-Block Challenge (Sept 2025) – Chibuzo 1st; Chinedu 3rd.
- KSA League 2 Championship (Oct 2025) – Chibuzo 1st; Chinedu 2nd.
Their performances reflect not only talent but also discipline, resilience, and a relentless drive to improve. Both have also contributed to Team Mpumalanga’s silver medal wins in team kumite events earlier this year.
Eyes on the International Stage
With their 2025 season complete, the Okpugo twins are now turning their focus to the WKF Premier Youth League in Dubai, set for February 2026, where they will proudly represent South Africa under the Karate South Africa (KSA) banner. This global competition brings together the world’s best youth karatekas and marks the next major milestone in their already outstanding journey. Watch the full interview on YouTube with the Okpugo twins here.
Pride of Ermelo Karate Academy
Guided by Sensei Eugene Smith, the Ermelo Karate Academy continues to cement its reputation as one of Mpumalanga’s strongest dojos, having now produced more than 20 black belts and two of the nation’s top-ranked cadet athletes. The Okpugo twins’ achievements stand as a shining example of how local dedication and international ambition can unite to produce excellence on the world stage.
To find out more about joining Karate, contact Sensei Eugene - 072 361 6680 / admin@ermelokarate.co.za