Two teenage karatekas from Buccleuch, Jiya Soudamma and Tahir Naidoo, have proudly brought home gold medals from the 2024 South African Ryukyu Martial Arts Federation national tournament, held in Kempton Park on September 28. Now, they’re setting their sights on earning black belts and competing in the World Championships.
At just 15 years old, both Jiya, a student at Pinnacle College Kyalami, and Tahir, who attends Reddam House Waterfall, achieved remarkable success at the nationals, each clinching three gold medals. They excelled in their respective age and belt categories, securing first place in kata, kumite, and team kata.
“They began their karate journey together at the age of 5 at the Shotokan Sunninghill Karate Club,” said Teesh Soudamma, proud of the lifelong friends’ accomplishments in martial arts.
Currently brown belts, Jiya and Tahir are eager to advance in rank as they prepare for the 2025 ICO World Championship in Wales next October.
“They are set to grade for their black belts soon,” Soudamma added. “With rigorous training underway, they feel honored to represent their club and country on the world stage.”
