Face to face with the karate kid...Khaya Groth

Source : Kutlwano

Author : Baleseng Batlotleng

Location : Gaborone

Event : Interview

At 16 years, young karateka Khaya Groth has become the definition of a super-kicker. With sheer power combined with raw technique, Groth fits the perfect description of a lethal karate kid. His determination and commitment to karate has definitely paid off, subsequently having tested for his shodan (1st Dan black belt) while still at primary school, a feat that earned him a genuine fame among martial arts aficionados. Khaya`s first international break came when he was eight years old during the annual Zone VI tournament hosted in Zimbabwe where he placed bronze for kumite and a gold medal for kata with the junior team. Last November Khaya was graded to 2^nd Dan black belt. Fresh from the closely contested Junior African Championships in Tunisia where he scooped silver medal and bronze in kata and kumite respectively, Kutlwano reporter Baleseng Batlotleng sat down with him for a five minute chat…….

Baleseng : Eita Khaya how are you?

Khaya: I`m ok my brother and I hope we are not going to take long eish I have been very busy with interviews since phakela?

Baleseng: How would you define yourself in just one tweet?

Khaya: I believe in what I do and do what I believe…….

Baleseng: In your family is karate a family thing?

Khaya: No! Actually I`m the only one doing it. Me and my brother Kevin but he is no longer active although he is still training. My parents are not into the sport but they are very supportive. I am the one who wanted to join karate after being inspired by my brother as a young kid. I became active as a child and I just fell in love with the sport. (Kevin Groth is the 2005 Barloworld prospect of the year winner).

Baleseng: Your memorable day in the sport?

Khaya: I enjoy every moment where I shine. My recent trip to Tunisia is one such moment. I have also returned from the World Hayashi-Ha championships where I took bronze in kata and silver in kumite.

Baleseng: Your mother, Batsho Dambe-Groth, how is she able to handle the pressure of raising two boys?

Khaya: Oh oh…..my mum is an amazing woman. There are no words to express how I feel about her. (Batsho has always been very supportive of her two karatekas and even travels extensively around international competitions with Khaya. She travelled to Bulawayo for the Zone VI tournament that marked the beginning of his career)

Baleseng: Will you use karate to defend yourself when being attacked in the street?

Khaya: Yaa I will definitely. In fact I have done it before and I became very successful. Karate is for self defence and no disciplined karateka will use it to offend people. Karate itself meaning empty hands we use it for self defence. Karate is different from other disciplines in that it has a philosophy and tradition not just punches and kicks which is why the sport will never die. The sport does not only shape people, karate prepares them for life.

Baleseng: Thank you my brother we will meet again very soon.

Khaya: Thanks right.

ENDS