Cape Town - Two young Mitchells Plain residents have shown grit and determination, which propelled them to massive wins recently at the World Kata Championships 2021.
Kyokushin Ryu Virtual World Kata Championships took place between November 27-28 with participating countries including Rwanda, Iran, Philippines, Chile, Russia, India, Poland, UK, Romania and Greece.
Kaylin Stubbs, 24, from Rocklands, walked away with the title of World Champion in the women’s category age group 18-39.
The style of Karate is known as full contact Kyokushin Karate, known for its toughness and one of the strongest forms of karate styles, said Stubbs.
Stubbs is currently employed as a Ward Clerk at Melomed Mitchells Plain Private Hospital.
“I am extremely proud and humbled by my victory. I took part in the first online Kyokushin Kata World tournament, and to be crowned champion was a huge accomplishment for me. I still cannot believe that I am a World Champion, a girl from Mitchells Plain.
“If someone told me 16 years ago that I would have achieved this, I would not have believed them. With continuous training and support, I was able to gain this victory.”
At just ten years old, Safia Willemse, from Eastridge, won silver in the Vice World Champion category for the 9-12 age group.
Her mother, Aaminah Willemse, said: “Myself and her father are extremely proud of this achievement. For your child to be second in the world is like something both of us could never have imagined. You see these things happening to other people- and now my daughter.”
Both are students at Trevor’s Kyokushin School of Karate at the Stephen Reagan Hall in Westridge, Mitchells Plain.
Sensei Trevor Rustin said four of his students made it to the World Finals.
“It is a proud moment for the students and parents. They have shown that there is much more to Mitchells Plain than is written regarding the violence. So, as the chief instructor and Dojo Head, I am very proud of them.”