I started Karate when I was 6 years old. I started because my parents decided that it would be a good idea to keep a link to my Japanese heritage.

At first I was terrified of Kyoshi Claude and wanted to sit by the wall but my grandma told me that I have to do it. I am glad she did. That is when I started to get into it. I trained for 3 years with Kyoshi up to my Blue belt.

At the end of 2016, we moved to Cape Town and JP sensei is my current sensei. I have been training with him for 3 1/2 years.

In 2017 I went to the SARMAF Nationals in Sasolburg and got 2 bronzes and onse silver medal. In 2018, I got 2 silvers and managed to get my WP colours. In 2019 I got a gold and a silver and my WP colours again.

I also went to Shorin-ryu Shorinkan nationals in 2016, 2017 & 2019. In 2019, I became a judge.

Due to Covid-19, we cannot train as usual or compete. Due to this, my focus is training for my junior black belt grading at the end of the year.

Karate has been a very big part of my life and I have learnt that karate isn’t just a sport but really is a lifestyle.

Luka Suzuki-Botha