Karatekas still hopeful
Karatekas still hopeful

Karatekas still hopeful

Herma Prinsloo
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

WINDHOEK



Namibia's karate stars are full of confidence after their return from a training camp recently held in South Africa.

A team of five karatekas and three officials recently returned from a training camp hosted by the Morgan Moss Karate and Sports Conditioning Centre.

The team had travelled to the neighbouring country on 6 January and returned on Monday.

The aim of the trip was to improve their skills and exposing them to some of the top competitors in their categories. The trip was also used as preparation for competitions that are lined up for the year. Coach Llewellyn Manale expressed satisfaction with the way the group handled themselves. “We are very delighted with the way the trip went because we went and came back safe.

“We were mainly staying in a bubble and probably only went to the shopping complex once.

“I believe that the guys stand a good chance of qualifying to the Olympics if they improve on a few aspects,” Manale said.

Freddy Mwiya Jr and Suzelle Pronk's trip was funded by the Olympic Solidarity fund, while Keanu Stuurman, Michael Nakapandi and Joshua Kunneke paid for their own expenses.

“I am extremely happy with how the training camp was in South Africa because we managed to learn so much from Morgan.

“I would like to thank everyone who made this trip possible for us and it is now up to me to try hard to qualify for the Olympics,” Mwiya Jr said.

Coach Manale spoke about the importance of making sure that the karatekas get a chance to compete in several competitions before the big qualifiers for Tokyo. Namibia Sports Commission chief administrator Freddy Mwiya assured the team that the government is doing all it can to see where it can assist those who have qualified for Tokyo and those who still have to qualify.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-24

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