Topping a medal count of 31 at the USSAs might seem nigh impossible, but for Fort Hare Goju-Kai karate coach Thobela Ntsonkota nothing ever is.
In fact, he was confident that his charges could better last year’s medal haul, which included 13 golds, at this year’s championships and complete a hat-trick of titles to boot.
The intensity shown at their recent training camp suggests that the 10 women and five men who will do battle in Vanderbijlpark on Saturday and Sunday are more than up for the challenge.
Much of their ambition for glory rests on the shoulders of the experienced Philani Momoti and Nombuso Ndamane, though the showing of the new generation at the recent Madibaz tournament in Gqeberha suggests that they will give their opponents a real run for their money.
Of the 10 medals they annexed there, eight went to athletes taking part in their first-ever competitive event.
“They are hungry to learn and have come into a club of champions. This motivates them,” Ntsonkota said.
The coach gave his athletes two days off after their exams before it was once more full steam ahead working on fitness and kata techniques – the latter a lengthy process that requires him to scrutinise each student individually.
At the USSAs, they will take part in three categories – kata, unison kata (teams of three) and kumite.
Experienced karateka Philani Momoti is one of the athletes hoping to make Fort Hare one of the greatest-ever teams to compete at USSA level. Photo: Full Stop Communications
To those not familiar with the sport, kumite is the only category where actual fighting between opponents is involved. It takes the form of semi-contact bouts.
Kata, on the other hand, is detailed karate movements like kicks, punches and blocks made either by individuals or teams against an imaginary opponent.
Ntsonkota explained it as a karate “dance” where participants were awarded points for attitude and presentation.
“Kata is difficult because you have to get the rhythm, the pace and the combination of students absolutely right,” the sensei said.
“Sometimes you have someone slender who moves fast but then you might have someone who is bigger and not as quick. I can only show them the techniques; the communication must be among them.”
Since 2017, when Goju-Kai karate was first offered as a sports code at Fort Hare, the students have excelled in this department.
A lot of that has to do with Ntsonkota insisting that they spend as much time together as possible during training camps. For example, it is mandatory for them to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner together.
“I want them to learn from each other and support each other. That is then transferred to training.”
If someone makes a mistake, he asks them to work together to fix the problem for that individual.
“The mind is the same, the mission is the same. This is why we have been successful.”
Ntsonkota believed the team’s biggest threats at the championships would be Vaal University of Technology and North-West University who, until UFH’s explosive arrival on the national scene, dominated the USSA events.