Five students of the Kroonstad Black Belt Academy participated in the South African district tournament of the American Taekwondo Association (ATA) in Pretoria and bagged 21 medals altogether.
They competed in events that included traditional forms, traditional sparring, traditional weapons, and combat weapons.
They also competed in team combat weapons and team sparring events where a three-member team, consisting of two males and one female, competed against others.
In the colour belt divisions, Crystal Bailie placed third in forms, first in weapon forms, second in team combat weapon sparring, and second in team sparring.
Hanko Stols placed third in forms, second in weapon forms, second in combat weapon sparring, and second in sparring.
SJ van Rensburg placed first overall in forms, first in weapon forms, second in combat weapon sparring, and first in sparring.
Wian Kotzé placed second in forms, first in weapon forms, second in combat weapon sparring, and first in sparring.
In the black belt divisions, Johann Pienaar finished first in forms, first in combat weapon sparring, first in sparring, second in team combat weapon sparring, and second in team sparring.
In total, the students won 11 gold, 8 silver, and 2 bronze medals in the tournament, hosted on 22 April.
For information about the Kroonstad Black Belt Academy, dial 082-928-3583.
– Madli Grobbelaar
