An 18-year-old South African has been crowned the Karate World Cup lightweight champion. Sithelo Mlambo, a Grade 12 pupil at Okumhlope High School in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, defeated his opponents from Ukraine, Brazil and Zimbabwe during the 2014 fourth IKO Karate World Cup.
The two-day event was hosted in South Africa on September 6 and 7, at the Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. In a telephone interview with Africa Review, Mlambo said he has been awarded a trophy for best performance and for the men’s lightweight under-70kg category.
“I did not get enough time to train because I am currently preparing for the final matric exams. I did not expect to win, but I had faith in myself. I am very happy that I managed to defeat six people,” said Mlambo.
Other winners were Sergiy Doromin from Ukraine, and Kunly Chin from China. Doromin won the middleweight title and Chin the men’s heavyweight.
Kwanele Princes Mbongwa, 23, is another youngster who made South Africa proud during the World Cup. She obtained second position in the women’s heavyweight tournament, but lost the title to Ysobe Tarjoure from Australia.
“I was awarded a trophy for best female fighter and a trophy for the women’s heavyweight competition. I worked hard for the tournament, and I am happy with the results,” said Mbongwa.
Two women from Ukraine, Levuma Novosad and Olgalesh Chuck, were crowned champions: Novosad won the lightweight title and Chuck the middleweight title.
South Africa is the first country in Africa to host the Karate World Cup. It was through the efforts of Shihan Alpheous Sabela and Chief Khanyisani Mazibuko that South Africa had the privilege to host this World Cup. Sadly, Sabela did not live to see the fruits of his labour as he passed away in February.
The late karate veteran, who was born in Durban on May 18, 1960, had an opportunity to bid for the 3rd World Cup 2010, which unfortunately the country lost to Spain.

However, that did not deter him to bid again for the World Cup 2014, and South Africa won against New Zealand. The two-day event was themed “Self Defence, Self Discipline and Crime Prevention.”
In a speech delivered at the opening of the event, President Jacob Zuma said the country was thrilled to showcase its ability to host major international events. President Zuma emphasised that karate is an important instrument of peace and social cohesion. He added that the sport empowers people to prevent crime.
“It can also be a very useful tool or instrument for preventing the youth from taking drugs and other forms of delinquency. But unlike any other sport, karate equips people for self-defence; you are able to stand your ground in challenging situations when you are involved in this sport. It teaches self-discipline, mostly emotional intelligence and temperance, which is important in how we handle the challenging situations that confront us in our daily lives,” he said.
The world tournament was founded by Masutatsu Oyama in Japan, and its purpose is to promote and teach the Kyokushin Way (Ultimate Truth).