South Africa-based youngster wins gold in India
South Africa-based Malawian karateka, Hamza Gaffar, has won a gold medal in Digha International Kyokushin tournament held in West Bangal, India over the weekend.
The Second Dan Black belt-holder went to India alongside fellow members of United World Kyokushin Karate Organisation South Africa chapter.
“It feels great to win because the tournament attracted the best. It was tough but I used what I know to win,” Gaffar said.
The youngster hails from T/A Kapeni in Lunzu, Blantyre.
Gaffar also paid tribute to the founder of the organisation he represents for inspiring and improving his skills.
“I owe this to a lot of people who have inspired me but I give special credit to Kancho AK Ismail who is the founder of the foundation and also Hanshi Moegsien who is the world president,” he said.
His mother, Kathy Kamwendo, who is a sister to musician Ethel Kamwendo Banda, said the 18-year-old karateka was still using Malawian passport despite going to South Africa at the age of six.
“He could have easily represented South Africa but he is still a Malawian citizen,” she said.
According to Wikipedia, Kyokushinkaikan is a style of stand-up fighting and was founded in 1964 by Korean- Japanese Masutatsu Oyama.
Kyokushin is Japanese for the ultimate truth.
It is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline and hard training. Its full contact style has international appeal.
