Marcello September, left, and Zachariah Skosan.
Two Kraaifontein karate competitors were selected as part of the national team for the upcoming African Karate Federation (UFAK) All African Championship to be held in Durban, but they need funds to cover accommodation and entry fees.
Marcello September, 17, and Zachariah Skosan, 15, are athletes from the Kentokukan Shito-Ryu SA dojo in Scottsdene.
Marcello is in matric at Monument Park High and Zachariah is in Grade 10 at Protea Heights Academy.
They will be competing against the best of the best in Africa from Monday November 28 to Sunday December 4.
Some of their expenses have been covered by parents and private donors but they have launched a BackaBuddy campaign to raise an additional R8000.
Their instructor, Sensei Clarence September, spoke highly of the two youngsters.
“Marcello September won the Karate South Africa Championship for 2022 in his weight and age division. To date, he has won every event he participated in this year. One of the biggest events this year was almost certainly the International African Championship, AUSC (African Union Sports Council) Region South. Countries that participated included Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, and Namibia. At this event, Marcello showcased his talents and won gold.
“Zachariah Skosan outdid himself this year. He is a very committed and dedicated athlete when it comes to his sport, karate. He knows exactly what he wants and what to do to get there. As an instructor, it gives me great pleasure to see how confident Zachariah has become. Apart from Karate South Africa nationals, he has been on the podium for every event that he participated in this year. At the International event at the AUSC Region South, he received double silver in kumite and kata at his weight and age category.”
Zaituna Skosan, Zacharia’s mother, said it was a huge achievement for her son to be selected to represent a country.
“I am extremely proud of Zachariah and his achievements. He always had potential talent; however, it took working with Sensei Clarence for that talent to be cultivated.
“He has been working very hard since the lockdown and the results have been positive. There has not been a signal tournament this year where he has not been on the podium. It is further proof of his hard work.”
Sensei September said the two boys had both been selected for many other international events but had been unable to addend due to a lack of funding.
“I am appealing to people willing to donate towards their BackaBuddy campaign to please support these two athletes. Their success will be our success,” he said.
Related Topics: