On Saturday, 11 October 2025, Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Namibia proudly hosted the annual 100 Kata Challenge at the German Shepherd Dog Club in Olympia, Windhoek. This international event is held each year in celebration of Okinawan Karate Day and has been part of our Namibian karate tradition since 2014.

The challenge brings together students and instructors to perform 100 repetitions of Gekisai Dai Ichi, one of the first kata of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate. It is not only a test of endurance and spirit but also a celebration of perseverance and the essence of traditional karate practice.

This year, the event was formally opened by Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts, and Culture – Dino Ballotti, who joined participants in performing San Dan Gi — the first kata taught to beginners at Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Namibia. His participation was a great honor and highlighted the importance of discipline, culture, and youth development through karate.

The morning was filled with energy and enthusiasm as karateka ranging from 6 years to 66 years all trained together under the Namibian sun. Families and friends gathered to cheer on participants, enjoy the fun events such as the Unison Kata Competition and Parent Kata Competition.

Funds raised from this event will go toward supporting our instructors’ participation in international training seminars in South Africa and Japan, ensuring that knowledge and tradition continue to be shared and developed here in Namibia.

We thank all participants, parents, supporters, and sponsors for making the 2025 100 Kata Challenge another memorable celebration of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate.