This past Saturday Ashihara Karate hosted its annual Blind Buddy Benefit tournament at the Sid G Rule Primary School in Grassy Park. This event was a build up to the Blind Buddy Day to be held this coming Friday which serves not only as a major Fundraiser for LOFOB (League of Friends of the Blind), but also an opportunity for sighted people to show solidarity with the Blind.
Competitors came from Ashihara Karate, Zensekai Goju Ryu (Kraaifontein), Kyokushin Wynberg and Kenwyn Martial Arts. Also Ashihara competitors from the West Coast, Eastern Cape, Zimbabwe and Swaziland giving it an National/International flavour.
The tournament (directed by Hoosain Narker, the person who introduced Ashihara Karate into South Africa more than 30 years ago) started just after 9am with just over 120 competitors and was completed by 3pm. Divisions included traditional and fighting kata, Clicker and full contact.
Cobus Potgieter from Kraaifontein wrote: “My son took part for the first time in the Blind Buddy Benefit tournament on Saturday. I want to thank you, your team and Ashihara Karate for a well-organized tournament. What a pleasure to have been at a tournament, which ran without hiccups and delays. This tournament was truly of a very high standard and we will definitely see you at the next one!!!!”
Ashihara Karate South Africa, under Narker’s leadership has grown Internationally to over 30 countries around the world and many of those placing at this event, have been selected onto a squad from which a team will be selected to participate in the Ashihara Karate World Championships to be held in India in October.
For more details about Ashihara Karate – see www.ashiharakarate.co.za or call Hoosain Narker on 082 369 6904