Gazette Reporter
More than 600 competitors turned the Gaborone Open into one of the region’s biggest karate stages.
The 2026 Gaborone Open Karate Championships attracted a record turnout of karatekas from across the world, who converged at the University of Botswana Indoor Sports Arena for the prestigious annual tournament hosted by Botswana Hayashi-Ha over the weekend.
Record Turnout
The two-day tournament recorded one of its highest entry numbers since inception, with more than 600 competitors from across the region. Athletes came from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Zambia, with Oman also represented from the Middle East.
Local Class
Local karatekas dominated most junior and elite Kata categories, which were contested in individual and team events. Seasoned athletes such as Centy Kgosikoma, Atang Motswakhumo, Kutlo Thomas and Otsile Mabika won gold medals in their respective Kata categories, despite stiff competition from South African opponents, who dominated the Kumite events.
In an interview with Gazette Sport, Botswana Hayashi-Ha Chief Instructor Shihan Mpho Bakwadi said the tournament’s quality and high level of competition remain the key factors attracting athletes from across the region.
“Botswana has built a reputation for producing high-quality and accomplished karatekas in the region, and that is one of the reasons we continue to see the number of participants grow every year. Athletes know that our tournaments are highly competitive and provide an excellent platform to measure their performance and assess their readiness for major international competitions,” he said.
Champion Tested
This year’s female Kata champion, Kgosikoma, who successfully defended her title, said she was delighted to compete against some of the best athletes in the region because it gives her room for improvement ahead of major tournaments.
“It is always a great experience to compete against opponents from other countries because that is when everyone brings their A-game. Those contests push us beyond our limits and give us a true measure of our readiness, character and ability to perform under pressure. They also help us identify the areas where we need to improve ahead of bigger international competitions,” she explained.
Discipline Drive
Delivering his keynote address at the event, Speaker of the National Assembly Dithapelo Keorapetse emphasised that karate is a key tool for instilling discipline, character and confidence in children. He encouraged parents to allow their children to take up the sport.
“Karate is one of the sports that can positively shape a child’s character and instil important values from an early age. I highly recommend the sport because it nurtures discipline, respect, self-confidence and resilience, producing well-rounded individuals both on and off the mat,” he stressed.
Keorapetse added that the championship aligns with Botswana’s national vision of promoting sport and tourism by fostering high-level performances while enhancing the country’s reputation as a destination for international sporting events.