Wits flag flies high at maiden Korean TSD tournament
- Tshepiso Mametela
The Wits Tang Soo Do (TSD) Club returned 19 medals at the inaugural Korean Full Contact Systems (KFS) Tournament hosted in conjunction with Martial Arts South Africa (MASA) in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, on 2 April.
Ten members of the Braamfontein-based dojang under 7th Dan Tang Soo Do and 2nd Dan Haedong Kumdo instructor, Master Gregory Hart, took to the carpet at the Wolves Academy to showcase their skills in weapon forms, point sparring, continuous sparring and low kick sparring in what was the opening national TSD event of the year.
Competing across novice (beginner) and intermediate (advanced) categories, the seven female and three male athletes, proved their mettle against the other well-trained fighters from some of the country’s more recognised dojangs, including White River Kickboxing Gym, Nelspruit Kickboxing Gym and Warriors of Faith Martial Arts Academy.
Intermediate level fighters Anushka Monema, who bagged one gold and a silver medal, Makgabo Mahopo, who walked away with a silver medal, and Wits TSD chairperson Lehlohonolo Motho, who secured one gold and two bronze medals, participated in their maiden black belt divisions.
“To take part in the first-ever KFS tournament was an awesome experience for us. As a club, we do not partake in a lot of full-contact or kickboxing tournaments. So, it was great for us to come up against different martial arts styles,” Motho told Wits Sport.
“We learned about a lot that we need to implement in our club to improve our sparring. Our athletes realised some things about themselves that they will need to improve so we can perform better at upcoming tournaments.”
Motho, who believes the lessons they gained exposure to at the tournament will assist in raising Wits’ profile in the combat art sport, said competing against several leading dojangs was invaluable for the group.
“Our style has two components to it – traditional and combat styles. We also realised that we have not been embracing the [latter] enough. As a result, Master Gregory has implemented new strategies and training programs after the tournament to help us perform better.”
In the end, Wits closed out the tournament with seven gold, eight silver and four bronze medals, with every TSD member of the group fighting their way to a prized podium finish.
After clinching three medals apiece, Motho and novice Rutendo Nyikadzino finished with the highest individual medals count for Wits. Meanwhile, another beginner at the university, Nokuthula Simelane, boasted the highest first prize tally after she fought her way to two gold medals.