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No rest for SA karatekas as World Cup selection nears

THERE will be no rest for karateka during the festive season holidays as they sharpen themselves up for the 2010 World Cup in Spain in June.

THERE will be no rest for karateka during the festive season holidays as they sharpen themselves up for the 2010 World Cup in Spain in June.

This is according to Karate Organisation of SA Matsushima group branch chief Shihan Peter "Poison" Thage.

"We have a tight schedule between now and April, our karatekas are aware that we will be starting the selection process in the new year," he said.

"Officially, we have closed for the festive season, but our karateka will be following various training programmes given to them to stay in great shape. We are also talking to various potential sponsors for the tournament in Spain because we want to send a team of 10, five men and five women.

"We will also be engaging the department of sport and recreation, the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and National Lottery Distribution (Trust Fund) for assistance."

Some of the top karateka expected to be in the team include Lucky Tshabalala, Matshidisa Mojaki, Nomende Magagula and Nomonde Makhanya.

"Our karateka performed extremely well during the open tournament in Swaziland last month.

"We will take them to similar competitions to prepare them for Spain.

"We are delighted that karate is becoming more popular, with people approaching us to teach them the basics of martial arts for protection too."

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