Zain Potts’ talent and skills shone brightly on the global karate stage when he dominated all his matches at the KSI World Championship in Finland, becoming the top South African in his age group and second worldwide!
Cape Town, South Africa (22 June 2025) – Life and the world at large can throw unexpected challenges our way, but it is how we respond and overcome that matters most and affirms that we have so much more to offer and live for than the difficulties that threaten to dim our light.
Reminding us of this powerful truth is Zain Potts, a young boy not to be defined by the challenges he’s experienced in his young life, but rather how he’s chosen to focus on his strengths and passions.
Zain recently represented South Africa at the KSI World Championship in Helsinki, Finland. Not only did he demonstrate remarkable pride and honour in his representation of our country through his distinctive style, but Zain dominated in all his kumite matches and was awarded a silver medal after placing second in the final.
The Heathfield Primary learner, who is also on the autism spectrum, has surmounted incredible odds, and his family worked tirelessly this year to get the funding for him to realise this opportunity.
His grandmother, admittedly very proud, praised Zain as a champ in the true sense of the word!
“His dedication to everything he does is commendable. It was a very tight final between two equally matched opponents. But there can only be one winner, and Zain lost graciously. Respect and love him. No amount of words can demonstrate how proud I am of him,” said Zainunisa Vigis.
As the top South African in his age group and second worldwide, Zain’s accomplishment is highly commendable and just goes to show that persistent effort can lead to incredible achievements and that an obstacle doesn’t limit one’s potential or what they can accomplish.
Well done to you, Zain and thank you for being such a light and inspiration!
Sources: Camila Yon | Heathfield Primary
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 