26 Oct 2023

One of the world’s finest karate instructors, Sensei John Rakoto from Japan, is in Botswana for 11 days. Rakoto was invited by renowned karate veteran, Sensei Thuto Thuto, to come and impart his vast knowledge of the sport with Batswana.

In an interview after landing at the Sir Seretse Khama Airport on October 25, he said he was happy to be in Botswana for the first time. Rakoto said Botswana was the first country in Africa who is a members of their international organisation Shitoryu.

He was in Botswana to come and conduct a seminar for the Botswana karate family, Shitoryu Karatedo Kenshikai Kenshikan Botswana (SKKB).

“I am here to help Botswana and Africa; it is very important that we have to wake up, and personally I believe in Africa, because it is the birth of humanity, so I think the younger generation here would be very powerful,” he said.  Sensi Rankoto said the seminar would not only focus on the technical part but would also touch on the human qualities.

He said in karate, the most important aspect is the value of loyalty and discipline, adding that one of their values is harmony between spirit and body.

For his part, Sensei Thuto said their karate style was Japanese, hence they found it prudent to invite Rakoto given that he had been training ‘in the pot.’

He said the Sensei Rakoto was in Botswana to teach them the Japanese karate culture and standardise the technique of the Shitoryu family, adding that other karatekas from Mozambique will join them to also benefit from the seminar.

“So, generally we are going to make sure that we use the 11 days to learn from the best,” Sensei Thuto said.

On other issues, the veteran karateka said the coming of Rakoto to Botswana would in a way sensitize Batswana that development is key.

He said  that it was a sporting code that starts with the athletes while they are four-years-old until they reach their full potential. ENDS