Namibia sends a strong National Karate Team to the record-breaking WUKF South African Championships & Afro-Asia Open in Gqeberha!

The National Karate Team

With over 1200 competitors and 2500 entries, this historic event will see our 14 athletes and elite referees proudly represent Namibia on the international stage. The team departs well-prepared, carrying national colours, discipline, and determination.

Willem Burger - SKAI Chief Instructor

A proud moment for Namibian karate as we continue to grow in both performance and international recognition.

Referees: Front left to Right: Georg Schurz, Willem Burger, Bernd Grahl.   

Back left to Right: Hendré Beukes, Michaela Marggraff, Bianca Marggraff, Albert van Zyl.

The Namibia World Union of Karate-Do Federations (NWUKF) has officially sent off its National Karate Team to competeat the World Union of Karate-Do Federations (WUKF) South African NationalChampionships & Afro-Asia Open, taking place from 29 April to 3 May in Gqeberha. The event has drawn more than 1200 competitors and over 2500 category entries, making it one of the largest karate tournaments ever hosted on the African continent. The Afro-Asia Championships stand today as the most illustrious and

exciting WUKF karate event on the African continent.

The Namibian team of 14 athletes, supported by highly experienced referees Willem

Burger and Georg Schurz, enters the competition following a rigorous national

selection process and intensive preparation. With Namibia also gaining international

recognition through elite referee appointments and a growing technical standard, the

team departs with strong confidence, carrying national colours and the ambition to

make a meaningful impact on the global stage.

Historic international event attracts over 1200 competitors as Namibian athletes

and elite referees step onto the global stage.

WINDHOEK, 23 April 2026 — The Namibia World Union of Karate-Do

Federations (NWUKF) this evening proudly sends off its National Karate Team to

represent Namibia at the prestigious World Union of Karate-Do Federations

(WUKF) South African National Championships & Afro-Asia Open.

The Championships will take place from 29 April to 3 May 2026 at the Boardwalk

Hotel International Convention Centre in Gqeberha and have already reached a

historic milestone, with more than 2500 category entries and over 1200 competitors

confirmed.

Teams from South Africa, Namibia, Mauritius, Reunion, the United States, and

Scotland will compete in what promises to be a landmark celebration of WUKF

Karate and Kobudo on the African continent.

NAMIBIA’S NATIONAL TEAM

The Namibian team, officially awarded National Colours, comprises 14 athletes,

representing a strong and balanced mix across youth, junior, senior, and veteran

divisions:

Zoe Beukes

Kihan Jansen van Vuuren

Micah Ipinge

Xander Kotze

Jean Jacques Coffee

Benno Shimbome

Caylo Heckroodt

Rabekah Strauss

Luca Bosch

Giscardo Izaacks

Eduan Jansen van Vuuren

Michaela Marggraff

Hendre Beukes

Albert van Zyl

In addition, two senior officials have been awarded National Colours as WUKF

referees:

Willem Burger

Georg Schurz

Both officials bring more than 35 years of refereeing experience, ensuring Namibia

is represented with exceptional technical authority and international credibility.

The team was selected through a structured, transparent, and merit-based national

process, recognising consistent performance, discipline, and readiness for

international competition.

In preparation for this global stage, the National Team trained collectively four times

per week, demonstrating exceptional unity, discipline, and commitment. The loyalty

and determination displayed by the athletes in striving to represent Namibia with

honour has been both inspiring and exhilarating to observe.

ELITE REFEREE DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

In a significant milestone for Namibian karate, additional WUKF referee

qualifications were awarded by NWUKF Chief Referee Sensei Willem Burger to:

Georg Schurz

Bernd Grahl

Hendré Beukes

Michaela Marggraff

Bianca Marggraff

Albert van Zyl

This group now constitutes the most senior WUKF referees in Namibia, marking a

major advancement in the country’s officiating capacity and technical standards.

Sensei Willem Burger remarked: “It is indeed an honour to have referees with such

dedication and commitment within NWUKF.”

Further elevating Namibia’s international standing, Sensei Willem Burger has been

granted the distinct honour of being one of only five referees nominated to serve on

the Referee Commission for the Afro-Asia Championships in South Africa.

This prestigious appointment is both an honour and a privilege, reflecting

international recognition of Namibia’s refereeing excellence and the high standards

upheld within the NWUKF. It stands as a clear indication of the respect and

confidence placed in Namibian officials at the highest level of international

competition.

A RECORD-BREAKING INTERNATIONAL EVENT

This year’s Championships will feature a comprehensive and inclusive competition

programme, including:

• Individual kata and kumite (Shobu Ippon, Nihon, and Sanbon)

• Team kata and rotational team kumite

• Kobudo divisions (long and short weapons)

• Inclusive categories, including inclusive combat kihon

• Expanded veteran divisions

Due to exponential growth in participation—particularly in kobudo and veteran

categories—the programme has been extended to four full days of competition.

Distinguished international guests of honour will include:

• Prof. Dr Liviu Crisan (WUKF President, Romania)

• Mr Roy O’Kane (WUKF Chief Operating Officer, Scotland)

• Prof. Essam Shreiff (WUKF Referee Commission Vice President, Egypt)

The NWUKF further extends its sincere appreciation to Sensei Gary Grapentin, the

principal organiser and driving force behind the Afro-Asia Championships. Sensei

Gary has been a loyal friend and supporter of Namibia and has done much to further

Namibia as a country in WUKF. His continued dedication, professionalism, has been

instrumental in building an event that is not only unparalleled in size and magnitude,

but equally unmatched in its level of organisation and excellence. The Afro-Asia

Championships stand today as the most illustrious and exciting WUKF karate event

on the African continent.

DEVELOPING NAMIBIAN KARATE ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

Participation in this international championship provides Namibian athletes with

invaluable exposure to elite competition, strengthening technical ability, tactical

awareness, and competitive maturity. Simultaneously, the development of a highly

experienced referee panel enhances the overall standard, credibility, and

international recognition of karate in Namibia.

The NWUKF also extends its sincere appreciation to the Namibia Sports

Commission (NSC) for affording athletes the highest honour of competing under

Namibian National Colours.

Sensei Willem Burger commended the NSC for its professional, efficient, and

prompt support throughout the entire process of awarding National Colours, noting

that such institutional excellence plays a vital role in enabling athletes to perform

confidently on the international stage.

NWUKF further expresses its gratitude to the global WUKF community for its

continued support in achieving record participation and remains committed to

advancing karate in Namibia.

As the team departs, they carry with them not only national colours, but also the

pride, discipline, and aspirations of a growing karate community determined to make

its mark on the international stage.

Issued by:Namibia World Union of Karate-Do Federations (NWUKF)

Media Enquiries:

Willem Burger

President Namibia World Union of Karate-Do Federations (NWUKF)

Cell: 081 129 2519

Email: willemburger30@gmail.com.na