15/05/2026
A Warrior’s International Debut 🇿🇦🇯🇵
Proud to share that my student Arianna Ortell recently stepped onto the world stage at the IKO International Friendship Tournament in Tokyo, Japan.
Representing South Africa in the U14 heavyweight division, Arianna went head-to-head with some of the world's best, including a tough bout against Russia. While the results weren't exactly what we aimed for, watching her single-handedly carry the South African flag on such a prestigious stage was a victory in itself. Here is her fight.
Arianna fights with a unique challenge—Erb’s Palsy in her right arm—but we don't make excuses. We train to compete against the best, regardless of ability. Stepping into that ring is a different world where nerves, speed, and pivots test every hour of training.
The Road Ahead:
This was Arianna’s first international experience, and as my first student from our dojo to compete internationally at this level, she has set a new bar. We’ve already identified the growth areas:
- Refining her movement—more dodging, ducking, and slipping.
- Leveraging her Jodan Mawashi (right leg) to compensate for her right arm and dominate the distance.
- Sharpening close-range elbows and Inside Hiza (knee strikes).
The most important takeaway? She loved every second of it. The international bug has bitten, and this is just the beginning of her journey.
Osu! 🥋
Determination WarriorSpirit InternationalFriendshipTournament SandtonKarate
