St Teresa's High School learner punches her way to nationals with double bronze win at Gauteng Karate Championships

The Citizen

24-04-2025

When Kurhula Lehloka (14) began mimicking her father's karate moves at the age of nine, she never imagined it would lead her to the National Karate Championships. Now, a Grade 9 learner at St Teresa's High School, she is proudly heading to the nationals in May, after winning two bronze medals at the Gauteng Karate Championships – one in kata and one in kumite. 'It was exhilarating, because it meant I could compete in nationals for both events. Walking back up to my mom in the seating area felt so good, with the medals clanking around my neck.'
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Kurhula trains in Japan Karate Association (JKA) karate at the Mark Wainman Dojo, based at the Jabula Recreation Centre in Sandringham. She trains twice a week, with a mix of warmups, kata practice, kumite drills, sparring, and fitness training. The dojo fosters a close-knit community, rooted in hard work, respect, and determination, values that Kurhula has embraced.
Her journey to the podium was filled with nerves as the Gauteng championships tested her mentally, as much as physically. 'The hardest part was waiting,' she recalls. 'There's no set schedule, so you arrive early and wait, trying not to psych yourself out. I kept thinking: 'What if I miss my division's call? Or what if the other competitors are better than me?'' She credits music and conversations with her fellow competitors, whom she describes as kind and supportive, for helping her stay calm.
Karate isn't her only commitment, she also plays netball at school and trains in gymnastics. She relies on a whiteboard planner to structure her week and balance everything, but when clashes happen, she knows how to prioritise.
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Despite her busy schedule, Kurhula remains dedicated to karate, especially with nationals approaching. She's intensifying her training with extra fitness and strength work, aiming for her brown belt and a top-four finish at nationals to qualify for the World Championships. Competing internationally is her dream for the coming year.
Her journey hasn't been easy. Starting karate during the COVID-19 lockdowns meant training over Zoom, often interrupted by load-shedding and poor Wi-Fi. 'Returning to in-person training was a big adjustment,' she admits, having never been in the dojo before. Despite her concerns, she it kept up and hasn't looked back.
Kurhula credits her father for inspiring her to start karate and stick with it. 'He taught my sister and me katas when we were younger. We never remembered them, so, he had to show us again, but that early exposure made me feel comfortable, when I officially started.'
She draws inspiration from legendary gymnast Simone Biles, admiring her confidence and boundary-pushing achievements. For Kurhula, karate represents a lifelong journey, with constant opportunities for improvement, teaching her discipline, respect, and conflict resolution.
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