Five athletes from Scottsville’s Sports Karate Academy made their mark at the Gabs Open in Botswana, a promise for the youth of Kraaifontein.
Kraaifontein, South Africa (17 October 2025) – The Gabs Open Tournament wrapped up in Gaborone, Botswana, bringing together some of the most promising young karate talent from across Africa.
Among the competitors representing their nations with pride were five spirited athletes from Kraaifontein’s Sports Karate Academy, who turned heads and lifted the South African flag high.
The group: Skylar Pieters (8), Nevaeh Titus (9), Zoe Esterhuizen (9), Azalia Adams (9), and Hayley Roman (11), formed part of the SA Karate Development Team and impressed in every division they entered, each finishing within the top three.
Their performances stood out in a tournament that saw teams from Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Angola, and the Congo competing across several categories.
Behind their success is Sensei Xzenophine Hael, a multiple world champion and now the Head Coach of the SA Karate Development Team. Through his Sports Karate Academy in Scottsville, Kraaifontein, Sensei Hael has built a nurturing space where discipline meets opportunity, while producing athletes who have gone on to wear Protea colours. The achievements of these five young karatekas are a reflection of that legacy. With the right guidance and determination, world-class potential can come from anywhere.
While Kraaifontein is often spoken of through its struggles, these young athletes are changing that narrative. Showing that it is also a community full of talent and pride. Their showing in Botswana is a symbol of possibility.
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