SOUTH AFRICA (March 25, 2024) – The AAU Karate National Team traveled to Gqeberha, South Africa for the 2024 WUKF South Africa National Championship & Afro-Asia Open. The event serves as a showcase for WUKF Karate and continues to expand the excellence of the sport in other countries. AAU/USA were not only a proud part of the event, but they also brought home some hardware.
 
AAU sent some of the best athletes in the sport. The eight athletes representing AAU captured 29 total medals – 20 Gold, 6 Silver, and 3 Bronze.
 
AAU Karate National Team members included: Amiyr Gordon, Mateo Latic, Allison Lazos, Zaylin Pinto, Amber Rutherford, Luke Santino, Ryland Volker, and Seraphine Wingwood. The team was led by AAU National Team Coach, John “Moose” Axsom.
 
“This trip has been nothing short of amazing and inspiring. Thank you to AAU Sports and to AAU Karate for entrusting me with the task of leading and coaching this exceptional group of athletes,” Axsom said. “The chance to meet new friends, immerse in new cultures, and to act as roving ambassadors of goodwill on behalf of the United States is a treasured reward for us all! Meeting President Ramaphosa was unexpected highlight and displays South Africa’s commitment to youth and adult development through sport. The AAU is without a doubt the premier amateur sporting organization in the United States devoted to athlete development, and I am proud to be a part of the AAU Family!”


AAU National Team Coach, John “Moose” Axsom (right) with the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa (left)
 
The AAU National team had two of the top 10 individual athletes at the tournament, shining a light on the success of AAU Karate.
 
Amber Rutherford went five (5) for five (5) in her quest for Gold at the event. Rutherford captured gold for Shobu Ippon Kumite 21-35 years old, Kobudo Short Weapons 18-35 years old, Kobudo Long Weapons 18-35 years old, Shobu Sanbon Kumite 21-35 years old, and Kata 21-35 years old. At the end of the competition, Rutherford had captured 110 points and ranked as the sixth highest scoring athlete at the event.
 
Amiyr Gordon was not far behind – taking home two (2) gold and two (2) silver medals. Gordon won gold in Shobu Ippon Kumite 14-15 years old and took home silver in the Kobudo Short and Long Weapons divisions. With 104 points, Gordon was ranked as the seventh highest scoring athlete.
 
We are incredibly proud of our athletes going overseas and representing the AAU in a major way. As they were able to learn new customs and cultures, they were also able to show the strength and continued development of the Amateur Athletic Union. Congratulations to every athlete who competed. To see a full list of results, click here.
 
Up next for AAU Karate will be the 2024 North American Open in Las Vegas to end the month of March. Then athletes will begin preparation for the 2024 AAU Karate National Championships and AAU Junior Olympic Games in July. If you want to stay up to date with everything happening in AAU Karate, visit aaukarate.org.