Block, punch, strike and score is what the Tuks karatekas did to perfection during the USSA Championships in Vanderbijlpark.
It stood them in good stead as Tuks finished second overall and won 15 medals (three gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze). Every one of the 11 team members medalled.
Chloë Preston (under-55kg female), Brogan Taylor (under-68kg female) and Damian Petersen (under-84kg male) brawled their way to gold.
When asked what it takes to outsmart an opponent in a Kumite bout, Preston said, “My Sensei always says in a real fight it is all about distancing and good timing. Knowing when to intercept specific movements, when to block, when to evade, how to get out of the space, how to get into the space, when to do a takedown, when to do what movement, and how to do it.”
According to Preston, she gets inspired by the people she trains with.
“Sometimes, it is even some of the people I compete against. It is because we’re all fighting for the same thing. That is to be the best. We all wanna be number one. The best.”
A definite highlight for the mechanical engineering student was last year when she represented South Africa at a tournament in Zimbabwe and finished third.
It can’t be helped to wonder if she ever got injured during a fight. Preston’s honest answer is that she has been lucky up to now.
“The only times I slightly got injured was during training. Mostly, it happened because I needed to pay more attention to what my sparring partner was doing. During actual fights, I do my utmost not to get hit or injured.”
People might be surprised when Preston names her role models. They are all swimmers – Chad le Clos, Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky and Erin Gallagher.
“I’ve been a swimmer for most of my life. Then, one day, I didn’t know why; it was time to do something else, so I switched to karate. I’ve enjoyed it ever since.”
Preston likes to read when not studying or trying to outsmart opponents on the mats. She has recently read George Orwell’s 1984 and JD Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye. Still on her to read-list is Sylvia Plath’s Bell Jar.
The Tuks karatekas who medalled at USSA’s are:
1st – Chloe Preston: Individual Advanced Female Kumite u/55kg
1st – Brogan Taylor – Individual Advanced Female Kumite u/68kg
1st – Damian Petersen: Individual Advanced Male Kumite u/84kg
2nd – Harshad Mewalall: Individual Advanced Male Kumite u/84kg
2nd – Kira Reddy: Individual Advanced Female Kumite u/68kg
2nd – Bianca Corbellari: Individual Advanced Female Kumite o/68kg
2nd – Katleho Moloi – Individual Advanced Male Kumite u/60kg
2nd – Male Advanced Team Kumite (UP Team)
2nd – Female Advanced Team Kumite (UP Team)
3rd – Thea Langenhorst: Individual Advanced Female Kata
3rd – NsovoShikwambana: Individual Development Male Kata
3rd – Kira Reddy: Individual Advanced Female Kata
3rd – Khotso Zono: Individual Advanced Male Kumite u/67kg
3rd – Meagan Krige: Individual Advanced Female Kumite o/68kg
3rd – Male Advanced Team Kata (UP Team)