Kenya's karate team basks in glory of bumper medal harvest at Commonwealth Championships

Kenya’s karate team captain, Joyce Juma, has praised her teammates for their exceptional resilience, which led to a remarkable performance at the 11th Commonwealth Karate Championships in Durban, South Africa. Competing against 23 nations, the team secured 13 medals 10 bronze and 3 silver a testament to their growing stature on the international stage.

“It feels good to lead the team. The journey has been promising, and we can see the results. Teamwork has led us to achieve this milestone. Winning was a hard task, but we managed despite the challenges we faced,” Juma said.

The team excelled across various categories, with standout performances in both individual and group events. In the Female Kumite Category, medallists included Rose Wanjiku (55kg), Georgina Kanini (55kg), Esther Katunge (61kg), Fatma Mohammed (Junior 66kg), and Joyce Juma herself (68kg).

The men also made their mark in the Kumite, led by John Thuo (60kg), Eugine Obunde (senior 84kg & under 21 84kg), and Stephen Wesonga, who won in the Veterans Category. David Kimani shone in Veterans Kata, claiming a silver medal.

Team events were equally impressive, with the women's Team Kumite and Team Kata squads, featuring Juma, Katunge, Wanjiku, and Kanini, delivering outstanding performances. The men’s Team Kata, comprising Vaati, Bernard, Julias, and Gikonyo, also stood tall on the podium.

Coach Stephen Wesonga expressed his pride in the team’s resilience during their first major international outing.

“The competition was fierce, but we thank God we prevailed. Without the federation’s support, this victory wouldn’t have been possible,” Wesonga said.

Kenya Karate Federation President, Richard Binga, commended the team’s success and outlined plans to nurture the next generation of karate talent.

 “This victory is just the beginning. We are focused on integrating young talent from grassroots programs and schools, preparing them for future championships. Our new office setup will be a game-changer for the federation,” Binga stated.