The karate team on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus delivered a thunderous statement of intent ahead of the 2026 University Sport South Africa (USSA) Karate Championships.

They produced a series of commanding performances at the Premier Full Contact Karate League Tournament held at the Mandeville Sports Centre in Bezuidenhout Valley, Gauteng on 9 May 2026.

In an atmosphere charged with intensity, discipline and raw fighting spirit, the NWU karate athletes stood tall among some of the fiercest competitors in Gauteng, proving that the Vanderbijlpark Campus is rapidly becoming a powerhouse in university karate.

Hosted by Kenshin Kan, the prestigious provincial tournament attracted elite dojos and highly skilled fighters from across the province, turning the event into a battleground of precision, resilience and competitive excellence.

For the NWU karate programme, the tournament was far more than another competition -– it was a defining test ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 USSA Karate Championships set to take place at the University of the Western Cape from 26 to 29 June 2026.

Under the leadership of Sensei David Mohapi and Sensei Manyathi Mkhombiseni, 19 determined student-athletes entered the arena carrying not only the NWU badge, but the expectations of a programme determined to leave its mark on the national stage. Competing across kata, clicker and kumite divisions, the team showcased extraordinary courage, technical brilliance and unwavering composure despite ongoing challenges surrounding training venues and preparation conditions.

One of the day’s most electrifying performances came from Lungani “Ali” Shusha, who dominated his divisions with ruthless precision and unmatched confidence. Lungani stormed to gold in the Men’s Advanced Kata, conquered the Men’s U60 kg Clicker division, and completed a sensational hat-trick by claiming the Men’s U70 kg Kumite title. His commanding displays not only captivated spectators, but also further cemented his growing reputation as one of the most feared and respected karate competitors in the province.

The women’s division witnessed equally breathtaking performances as the female fighters from the NWU announced themselves with authority. Alwandle Shozi delivered a masterclass in power and control, overpowering opponents to secure first place in both the Women’s Open Division Clicker and Women’s Open Division Kumite categories. Palesa Makhafola added to the medal haul by the university with golden victories in the Women’s Intermediate Kata and Women’s U55 kg Kumite, while Nomandla Radebe and Angie Phakati fought with determination to earn valuable podium finishes for the team.

Senior athletes in the programme once again proved why they remain central pillars of the NWU setup. Phineas Matlhatsi produced a remarkable all-round performance, collecting medals across multiple categories, including a first-place finish in the Men’s U70 kg Kumite division. Enoch Myeza further showcased the depth of the programme by dominating the Men’s Intermediate Kata, Men’s Own Kata and Men’s U70 kg Clicker divisions with technical excellence and composure under pressure. Phumlani “Jojo Tank” Jojo and Ntsako Chabalala also delivered powerful performances that reinforced the growing strength and competitiveness of the NWU karate squad.

Beyond the medals and trophies, the tournament also symbolised the rise of a new generation of fighters in the programme. Emerging athlete Tshiamo Segobye stepped onto the provincial stage for his first major tournament and displayed immense potential, courage and hunger that promise a bright future in university and national karate.

Speaking after the tournament, Joseph Matlhong described the event as a major turning point in the team’s preparations for USSA 2026.

“This tournament was a major highlight for the programme and clearly demonstrated the readiness, discipline, and commitment of both our athletes and coaches ahead of the USSA Championships. The performances showed the growth of the team, the fighting spirit of our students, and the hard work invested by the coaching staff throughout the season. Immediately after examinations, our focus shifts fully towards the USSA Championship at the University of the Western Cape, where we aim to represent the NWU with pride and compete at the highest level,” said Joseph.

The outstanding success of the team reflects the continued rise of karate as one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing sporting codes at the Vanderbijlpark Campus. Built on discipline, sacrifice and relentless hard work, the programme continues to produce student-athletes who excel not only in competition, but also as ambassadors of excellence for the university.

Women's U55 kg Kumite: Palesa Makhafola, gold; Angie Phakati, silver

Men's U80 kg Kumite: Teboho Padi, gold; Sakhile Dlamini, silver