2020 was meant to be the year Cape Town hosted the Kimura Shukokai International’s (KSI) 20th Karate World Championship but it was postponed to 2023 – and it was a HUGE success!
Cape Town, South Africa (18 July 2023) – The KSI Karate World Championships kicked off its 20th edition in the Mother City at the Cape Town Convention Centre and ended on the 15th of July 2023. Over 500 karateka competed for top honours at the CTICC as part of the Kimura Shukokai International’s (KSI) 20th Karate World Championship.
With an estimated affiliation of more than 20 000 karate students around the globe, including juniors, young men and women as well as veterans over the age of 50, KSI is one of the biggest single-style organisations around the world.
Initially, Cape Town was set to host the 20th anniversary of the tournament in 2020; however, due to Covid-19, plans were pushed out to 2023.
With the KSI World Championships traditionally taking place every two years, the spotlight was certainly on Team KSI South Africa South (KSI SAS) who were defending world champions and had won the last four consecutive championships since 2012.
The team went on to win the 2023 championship as well! The South Africa North KSI-SAN team earned the second-place spot, making it a double podium for SA.
“Congratulations to all medal winners and competitors for making this an amazing championship! KSI South Africa South have made it a quintuple win, adding to the wins from 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and now KSI WORLD CHAMPIONS 2023! Osaa!” – KSI Karate World Championship 2023
The global martial arts event attracted over 500 participants from 20 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Finland, Australia, Botswana, Mozambique, Seychelles, as well as athletes from Cape Town and the rest of South Africa, among others.
Not only was Team KSI SAS able to win over 40 medals in previous championships, the group was also involved with various safety, gender-based violence and development programmes through Martial Arts in order to improve lives and communities in and around the Western Cape.
‘It is such a pleasure for the City to host the milestone 20th bi-annual edition of the KSI Karate World Championships as we see over 500 competitors fighting for the championship title. We are proud to support this global platform that enables young and veteran athletes to showcase their talent and versatile martial arts abilities.
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