The South African youth team came out tops, winning gold at the first edition of the Africa Youth Kung Fu Championships.
The team bagged a moerse 21 gold medals, six silver and six bronze at the tournament which took place at Filia Multi-Purpose Hall in Goodwood on March 4 and 5.
The tournament was hosted by world-renowned kung fu master Muhammad Junaid Chafeker, aka MJ Li, who said the inaugural event was a success.
“We had a strong team of 35 athletes who I have been training for some time. I would definitely rate it a success, the kids and the youth were very excited to be competing,” MJ Li said.
As many as 90 athletes from SA, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Mozambique and Tanzania competed in Taolu Forms, Group Synchronized Events and San Da Chinese Kickboxing Full Contact.
Botswana proved to be the toughest competition for the hosts, followed by the Zimbabweans and Malawians.
MJ Li said: “This is a proud moment for me, my students gave it their all and showed their competitive edge against their African counterparts.”
The home team was captained by Sinawo Yola, 19, from Gugulethu, who finished with two gold with a silver and bronze medals in the two-day competition.
The top kung fu athlete at the tournament was 15-year-old differently-abled Saifullah Chafeker, who won five gold and a silver in both San Da Chinese Kickboxing Full Contact and Taolu Forms.
MJ Li now hopes to expand the tournament internationally.
“We have already received enquiries from Mexico, USA, Brazil and Hong Kong asking if they could compete in this annual event as well. If that is the case it will become more competitive from 2024 and so onwards,” he explained.