JKS Nationals 2018

The JKS National Championship of 2018, held in Johannesburg, was a huge success with the overall level of competing showing an all time best, especially in the elite divisions. This was the general statement from our organisers, officials, athletes and spectators alike. JKS South Africa is closer to the world standard than ever before.

Numerous work sessions were held for the referees and judges leading up to the JKS National Championship to ensure knowledge and like-mindedness on the rules and recent changes of the rules. An informal competition was held in Pretoria prior to the National Championship to familiarize the referees, judges and table officials with a new tournament recording software. The N Pro Tournament Software was implemented to allow for smoother proceedings than any of our previous tournaments. We would like to extend a big thank you to Jacques Pretorius Sensei, who took the initiative with the software and devoted himself to managing it. The value of the informal competition was also noticeable in the level of competitor skills, especially with the lower grades. JKS South Africa is planning on having several more of these competitions for the improvement of both competitor and official.

The Shihankai and Kyoshikai worked closely together in the planning and execution of the proceedings. Parents and other volunteers fulfilled the much needed roles of managing warm-up areas, getting competitors ready for each bout and generally short-handed tasks. Almost all floors found themselves ahead of schedule. With the new software the results were immediately published to a screen on each floor and to the central database as the day progressed. The final results were available as soon as the last division ended.

The Senior Ladies and Senior Men Kata and Kumite divisions showed an enormous improvement in standard with exciting final rounds in all these divisions. The highlight of the tournament was the final round of the Senior Male Kata division between the upcoming Rickus Weihmann (2017 Kata Champion) and Ian Booyens, past JKS Grand Champion. Spectators gasped in awe when Ian Booyens clinched to the title once more with an ever rising jump in Unsu, landing with perfect positioning and finishing with style. He narrowly beat Rickus Weihmann's skillfully executed Gangaku and high Yoko Geri.

For the first time in JKS South Africa's history we had brother and sister combinations as Grand Champions of 2018 in the senior finals - Meghan Smit and Ian Booyens as well as Minet Uys and Jaco Uys. Meghan took gold for kata and kumite, Minet took silver for kata and kumite, Ian took gold for kata and kumite and Jaco took silver for kumite.

More photos on Bethlehem Karate Facebook Page, thank you Kosie Weihmann for the amazing shots.