MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Vorné Coetzee (16) was selected as Mossel Bay's Diaz Japan Karate Association's (JKA) top karateka for the year 2024.

She is currently the club champion, the Western Province JKA champion and the South African JKA champion in her age division.

Vorné was selected to represent South Africa at the JKA World Championships last October in Japan.

Due to the early closing date for entries, it was impossible for the club to obtain the necessary funds and she had to withdraw against the will of SA JKA, because on her form she had a good chance of being a new karate world champion as she is training with international instructor, Sensei Michael Coetzee.

Coetzee trained in Japan and is a registered and qualified international instructor by the Japan karate headquarters. Vorné is his granddaughter.

Currently the Diaz JKA team members are preparing again for the SA JKA Championships in mid May. 

Once again, for the fourth year, all members who competed at the WP JKA trials made the team. This year only nine members could attend.

The club is currently in urgent need of financial assistance from businesses and the community of Mossel Bay.

If you can assist with sponsorship or would like to learn karate, contact Coetzee (083 535 4175 or mbayjka@gmail.com).

Karate classes take place in the D'Almeida civic hall and the Mossel Bay Indoor Sport Centre on Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 16:00.

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