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Joburg karate kids ready to take on Germany

Johannesburg – After appealing for funds to compete in the world championships, six young karatekas (practitioners of karate) from Eldorado Park can now represent the country in Germany next month.  

Instead of the school sending three students as initially planned, it was now sending six, thanks to News24 readers. 

“Our big fundraising drive has been a wonderful success,” Shukokai Karate Academy's Nicole Koen said on Tuesday.

“The support and generosity of all the people on News24 has made it possible for our dojo to send six boys and their coach to Germany.”

Renaldo Kok, 24, Chesline Petersen, 21, and Denzelle Bloem, 17, qualified to participate in the 5th Dojo World Championships in Germany in July. Their sponsor however pulled out at the last minute.

In May, after reading about their plight, readers contacted them to donate money. Koen said they raised R51 500. Their initial sponsor would pay for the rest.

The trip, from July 17 to 25, cost them R25 000 each.

The trio, who train at the Shukokai karate academy, have been doing karate for more than 12 years and have missed a number of tournaments because of a lack of money.

“We want to thank all the people who contributed to make the trip possible,” Koen said.

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