Gifted in karate at six years old
Emily Verhoef, a six-year-old from Alberton, made a name for herself by winning two gold medals at the JKA South African Championships this year.
Emily Verhoef, a six-year-old from Alberton, made a name for herself by winning two gold medals at the JKA South African Championships this year.
Emily started karate in September last year. Her parents were introduced to JKA karate through a family member who is involved with the club. Her parents also wanted her to learn the basics about how to defend herself. Initially, they were concerned that it might be difficult for her as karate is traditionally seen as a male-dominated sport. This was, however, not the case and Emily took to karate like a duck to water. After just two months of training, Emily entered a championship and won a gold and silver medal.
Never on her back foot
Emily who goes to school at Revival City College had only been doing karate for eight months when she took part at the SA Championships for the first time. She didn’t stand back for one moment and won gold in both the kata and kumite divisions. “We were asked if Emily has ever done karate before,” said Jonathan Verhoef, her father. In response to how quickly Emily was able to master the necessary techniques, he said: “She is so absorbent.”
At her dojo, she competes with older children, mostly boys, which would normally put a girl on her back foot.
“Within four weeks she was able to outwrestle the boys, something her sensei took great pleasure in,” said Jonathan. Emily’s sensei, Janie Coertzen, serves as a great role model for Emily of how a lady can be both feminine and a strong fighter when it comes to karate. Emily has recently graded for her first yellow belt and she looks forward to grading for her full yellow belt soon.
Emily not only excels at karate but proves that she is a very gifted young girl. She does very well at her school work and is already the fastest runner amongst her peers. Something the teachers at her new school found noteworthy, is how strong Emily is for her age, which the parents attribute to her karate training.
“The friendships she has made at karate are amazing,” says Jonathan. Emily’s parents described her as being a shy child before starting karate. Since starting though, she has really climbed out of her shell and is now confident and full of smiles.
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