Springs-based karate academy bags 15 medals at national competition
Led by 5th Dan karateka, Charmain Esterhuizen, the team comprising 17 karateka walked away with 15 medals.
They displayed exceptional spirit and discipline throughout the event, competing against top karateka from around the country.
Esterhuizen secured two gold medals in both kata and kumite, showcasing her skill, focus, and leadership on the national stage.
ALSO READ: Dancers from Dance Directions With Mariska excel at regionals in Randburg
'It was a proud moment not just for me, but for every student who stepped onto the mat and gave their best. We've been training consistently, and it's amazing to see that effort pay off,' said Charmain.
Esterhuizen added that their dojo's student base has been growing in Springs.
'We will continue to foster local talent, teaching karate as a way of life that builds confidence, discipline, and resilience in all age groups. Our students showed true karate spirit—not just in the medals they earned, but in their attitude, respect, and perseverance,' she concluded.
This strong performance at JKS Nationals has set the tone for future competitions, as the academy prepares to take on regional and national events in the months ahead.
ALSO READ: Dr Johan Jurgens High School learners shared study techniques to tackle these June exams
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
24-07-2025
- IOL News
WATCH: Ciara nails the viral Nicki Minaj pose challenge
Ciara nails the viral trend. Image: Screenshot / TikTok Ciara has officially entered the chat and dominated the viral 'Nicki Minaj pose challenge,' leaving her fans stunned. The singer, dancer, and mom of four proved she's still very much that girl by flawlessly recreating the now-iconic pose from Nicki Minaj's 2013 'High School' music video. In the original clip, Minaj strikes a fierce squat pose beside a pool while wearing towering platform heels. The pose that started the viral trend. Image: Screenshot / Youtube Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ What started as a jaw-dropping moment in pop culture has become a full-blown viral challenge, with fans and celebs alike trying to top each other in creativity and difficulty. Ciara, like so many others, took the challenge to the next level. Dressed in a sleek, all-black outfit paired with sky-high Christian Louboutin Condora heels, she added her own twist by balancing on two dumbbells. And as if that wasn't enough, she casually held a bottle of water in one hand, making it look like a walk in the park. Personally, standing and walking in those killer heels would be a balancing act in itself. The trend has seen people pulling off the daring pose on some seriously wild props. We're talking wine bottles, Stanley cups, chairs, countertops, and even a mailbox. The more outrageous the setup, the more likes and shares. With almost 15 million views, one of the first videos to go viral was by Kristy Sarah, who, just like Ciara, executed the pose on dumbbells. With the challenge still trending across social media, it's clear this isn't just about striking a pose. It has become a test of balance, creativity, and confidence. IOL Entertainment Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The Citizen
01-07-2025
- The Citizen
Ultimate 8-0 Springbok ‘bomb squad' is a reality, says Daan Human
The Springboks may yet stun the rugby world again and unleash an 8-0 'bomb squad' thanks to the new hybrid back. New hybrid back Andre Esterhuizen in action for the Springboks against the Barbarians in Cape Town over the past weekend. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images Ever since the Springboks stunned the rugby world by picking a 7-1 forwards to backs bench split against an All Blacks team in a 35-7 rout at Twickenham in the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, people have wondered, would they dare to go 8-0? With the ultimate innovator, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus, launching his newest project over the past weekend in their 54-7 romp over the Barbarians in Cape Town — the hybrid back — it now becomes a distinct possibility. The Boks have featured the hybrid forward before, loose forward Kwagga Smith having played on the wing in the backline, but they had never had a hybrid back, until this past weekend, when specialist centre Andre Esterhuizen came on in the 44th minute at flank for Marco van Staden. It is now possible that the Boks could still use their 7-1 bench split in a match, with Esterhuizen the sole back replacement, and have him come on with the forwards instead to produce the ultimate 8-0 'bomb squad'. Bok scrum guru Daan Human was quizzed about that exact possibility at a Springbok press conference on Monday afternoon, and admitted that anything was possible with the amazing versatility of the Bok players. 'Sometimes when those type of questions come my way I keep it sweet and short and refer them to Rassie. But I think I can contribute,' said a smiling Human. 'Whether it is as a back or as a forward, whether we go 8-0, 7-1, 6-2 or even 4-4, it is doable. I just think it (having that option) is helping us. And at the moment when it helps the Boks get better to perform for the country, then I'm happy about the decision.' Ideal hybrid back Human explained that Esterhuizen's size and speed made him an ideal candidate to double as a loose forward, and that as he continues to learn and adapt to the Bok scrum, it would add to their options going forward. 'Well potentially he is becoming so vital for us. If you think now, he is a hybrid player, and he is pretty big, bigger than some of our flankers. He is certainly bigger than Kwagga. I can assure you we are very happy with his size coming into the scrum,' said Human. 'I think he went very well for the first time (over the weekend), although I don't think it was the first time he has played flank. If I'm right, he played there for the Sharks as well. So it went very well and I am glad for him. ' Last week Erasmus also revealed a secret scrum camp at Human's farm in Bloemfontein, which Bok props Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Jan-Hendrik Wessels attended. Human was asked if an invitation had been extended to Esterhuizen, with him replying with a laugh: 'I'm sure he can still develop his scrumming and mauling ability. But he hasn't gone to the farm yet, he hasn't got his invite yet, but he will soon.'
IOL News
01-07-2025
- IOL News
Esterhuizen's role at flank means anything is possible for the Springbok Bomb Squad
Andre Esterhuizen is learning scrum-craft from Springboks assistant coach Daan Human. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Springbok scrum coach Daan Human looked nervous when asked if the invention of Andre Esterhuizen as a centre-cum-flank has opened up the door for an 8-0 Bomb Squad, but he did not discount the possibility. Esterhuizen was a flank at school before moving to the backline and now the leftfield thinking of Rassie Erasmus has him going full circle. He is a prime slab of Klerksdorp beef at 113kg and 1.92m, and at age 31, he still has plenty of miles on the clock, especially if he makes a success of his transition to a 'hybrid' role of the ultimate utility-player. There are very few, if any, other international backs who are comfortable roving between the forwards and the backline. Former Lions centre Marius Louw moved from flank at Grey College to centre at the Sharks, but it seldom happens the other way around. Erasmus probably got the idea from seeing Esterhuizen moving to flank for the Sharks during a few crisis matches this season when their pack was suddenly depleted by yellow cards or injuries. 'Andre is potentially becoming vital for us. He is as big, if not bigger than some of our flanks,' Human said, at a press conference ahead of Saturday's first Test against Italy in Pretoria. 'He is definitely bigger than Kwagga (Smith). I'm very happy with his bulk. He went well for the first time at this level (against the Barbarians last week). 'We are teaching him to get better, especially at scrum-time. I really hope he makes it his own position. There are technical areas that need work, especially in terms of his role in the mauling.' Springboks assistant coach Daan Human. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Human, who is known for his quick wit, was asked of Esterhuizen had cracked the nod to his scrum farm, which is rapidly growing in fame, notably after he helped Asenathi Ntlabakanye shed 18kg ahead of his Bok debut last week. Human lives on his farm near Bloemfontein. 'Andre hasn't gone to the farm, he hasn't got the invite yet, but maybe I will make a plan soon,' Human smiled.' With Esterhuizen on the Bok bench covering centre and flank, a new world of possibilities is opening up for the innovative South Africans. Is there a chance of a Bok bench with eight forwards? 'When those questions come my way, I try to make it sweet and short, and pass it on to Rassie,' Human grinned. 'Look, I think Andre can contribute as a back or forward, whether it is 8-0, 7-1, 6-2, or even 4-4, which is also doable. At the moment, if it is helping the Boks make the country better, then we are happy with the decision.' Human was asked to explain what goes on at his farm when certain players are invited. 'If you want to scrum, you must be conditioned to scrum, so there is a bit of conditioning,' he said. 'It is not actually about weight loss (in the case of Ntlabakanye), it is mostly about getting better come scrum time. 'We focus on the fundamentals of the scrum. You can't work on scrumming by yourself and I don't believe you can improve on a scrum machine.' Human revelaed he invites players who are on the periphery of the Springboks and improves them so that if and when they get the call-up, they are not far off the pace. 'We want to keep growing our player base. The bigger the base, the more choices you have. "We want to improve as many players as possible to the point where they are not far off your first and second choices. Then, when they come into the system, there is not too much of a gap.'
