On Saturday the 2nd of September Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Namibia hosted its annual National Karate Championships!

The competition featured 85 contestants from both our Honbu and Shinto Dojos. Additionally, there were a total of 15 team entries for a special family team kata event in which brothers, sisters and parents teamed up to compete in unison kata.

As part of the formalities of the day, Sensei Carl also awarded the following students with long-training awards for recognition of their years of training:

Sensei Marion Bause – 35 Years

Sensei Sam Ekandjo – 30 Years

Sensei Rowan Carstens – 25 Years

Sempai Justin Scholtz – 10 Years

Sempai Zuriel Campbell – 10 Years

Sempai Andre Viljoen – 10 Years

OGKN 2023 Senior Male Division with the new Senior Male Grand Champion – Justin Scholtz.

“OGKN would like to extend a special thank you to our event sponsors, FNB and Absolute Logistics, without whom this would not have been possible! We would also like to thank all the officials and parents who came out to support the event! Congratulations to all our contestants and champions on your amazing performances today! We look forward to the next one!” – Sensei Carl van der Merwe

Best Attendance Award Winners 2025 - Honbu Dojo

Children Beginners & Junior Class

First Place:
Elifas Matheus

Second Place:
Lucresia Naris
Joel Undji

Third Place:
Anotidaishe Chiripai

Children Advanced Class

First Place:
Ethan Collard

Second Place:
Margaret Flavianu

Third Place:
Megan Kumire
Baeti Muyandulwa
Triti Nair

Adult/Teen Beginners & Intermediate Class

First Place:
Thikameni Inkumbi

Second Place:
Liam Alcock

Third Place:
Steven Bishop
Nathan Tuneeko

Adult/Teen Senior Class

First Place:
Jason Collard

Second Place:
Carli du Plessis

Third Place:
Lumé Karsten

Best Attendance Award Winners 2025 - Shinto Dojo

Beginner Children’s Class

First Place:
Micah Ndyenge

Second Place:
Aiden Masters

Third Place:
Francois De Klerk

Intermediate Children’s Class

First Place:
Cene Viljoen

Second Place:
Connor Bandlow

Third Place:
Paul Thomas Andrew Cocklin

Advanced Children’s Class

First Place:
Laeya Carstens

Second Place:
Thomas Wood

Third Place:
Patrick Leuschner

Adult Class

First Place:
Eli Wood

Second Place:
Wendy Bonitz
Farai Penduka

Third Place:
Daria Burger

A heartfelt thank you goes to all instructors, families, and supporters who contributed to a successful grading.

Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate Namibia

Family Katas shine at 2023 OGKN National Championships

04-Sep-2023