Patrisia Fernandes, a 17-year-old Grade 11 student who is rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the karate world has been awarded her national colours for the seventh time. Picture: Supplied
THE DAYS of Kimberley being regarded as a small, sleepy ‘dorpie’ where nothing really happens are fading fast.
This transformation is thanks in part to the younger generation, who are proving that great things are possible even from the smallest of places.
Rising stars in various sports are making waves, and one of these standout talents is 17-year-old Patrisia Fernandes, a Grade 11 student who is rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the karate world.
Recently, Fernandes competed at the Karate National Championships in Johannesburg, where she won bronze medals in both the women’s elite kata and Kumite divisions.
This remarkable achievement has earned her SA JKA Karate National Colours for the seventh time in her 10-year Karate career. But her accolades don’t stop there. The young karateka has qualified for the final round of the National Championships and has been selected to represent South Africa at the 16th Funakoshi Gishin Cup Karate World Championships in Tokyo, set to take place in October.
For Fernandes, earning her national colours again in 2024 felt particularly special. She told the DFA, “Earning national JKA karate colours in 2024 was very different from the previous years. They only wanted the best of the best representing our country this year, and when I made it into the team, I felt honoured.
“Many people dream of representing their country at such a competition, and I was one of them,” she added. “When I started competing in karate, one of my biggest goals was to represent South Africa, and now that dream is coming true.
“I know a lot of the girls I competed against, including myself, put in all their effort, and earning a spot in the team this year wasn’t easy. But making it into the team has been incredibly rewarding.”
Gruelling road to success
The road to success, however, has not been easy. Fernandes balances school with her intense karate training regimen, which includes twice-weekly trips from Kimberley to Bloemfontein, where she trains under Sensei Hendrik Fourie at the JKA Karate Dojo.
“Every Monday and Thursday, my mom and I travel to Bloemfontein after school. We train from 6pm to 8pm, and then we drive back to Kimberley in the evenings. It’s tough, but it’s worth it,” she explained.
Fernandes credits her support system for helping her get this far, especially her senseis and her mother.
“My sensei, Hendrik Fourie, and Senseis Elsabie and Christine have always motivated me when I doubted myself. My mom has been my biggest supporter since the day I started karate.
“She practises with me at home or anywhere we can do karate, and she’s helped me prepare for every competition. Having them on the sidelines has made a big difference in my journey. They didn’t just support me – they helped me improve and pushed me to be the best I can be,” she said.
Levels higher than ever
This year’s journey to the National Championships was particularly demanding for Fernandes, who said the level of competition was higher than ever.
“Going into this year’s competition meant I had to train extra hours, more than I usually would. Every year, it gets tougher, and your position is never guaranteed because everyone is fighting for that spot. I did quite a few training courses as well to prepare.
“I think what helped me the most was my experience from last year,” Fernandes shared, then explained: “In 2023, I represented South Africa at the JKA Championships in Mauritius, where I got to train with the Japanese for a few days. They taught me a lot, and it really helped me improve my technique and approach to competitions.”
For Fernandes, preparation for the national team involved rigorous training, both physically and mentally.
“This year was a lot more intense than previous years. I needed to improve my fitness, so I played other sports to help with that, and I did a lot of footwork drills for my fighting. My mom even taught me a few combinations that helped me win most of my fights this year.
“I had to work a lot on my katas, perfecting my technique and timing. Sometimes I trained with weights to improve my speed. I spent at least two hours a day training, sometimes more, and my focus was on improving in every possible way,” she said.
Hard work pays off
Her hard work and dedication have paid off, as Fernandes is set to represent South Africa at the prestigious Funakoshi Gishin Cup, an international karate event that draws the best competitors from around the world. She will be competing in the black belt elite division, an incredible achievement for someone her age.
Fernandes will leave for Tokyo on October 20 and return on the 29th after the tournament.
Reflecting on her journey from being a young child who took up karate to combat bullying to now representing her country on the international stage, Fernandes expressed deep gratitude.
“I started karate in kindergarten because I was getting bullied. My parents introduced me to karate when I was five years old, and I haven’t looked back since. Now, I feel nothing but humility and honour being part of the SA team going to the JKA World Championships in Japan this year.
“It’s a dream come true, and I’m so thankful to everyone who’s helped me along the way."
Fernandes’s journey is not just a personal triumph; it’s a story of resilience, hard work, and the incredible talent emerging from the Northern Cape.
Unlimited possibilities
Kimberley, once thought of as a small “dorpie” with little happening, is now producing world-class athletes like Fernandes, to name just one, who are ready to take on the world.
Her success is a powerful reminder that even from the smallest of towns, greatness can emerge. For Fernandes, the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo are not just the next step in her karate career but a symbol of what’s possible with determination, support, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
As she prepares to leave for Japan, Fernandes remains focused on her goal: to represent South Africa with pride and bring home even more accolades.
“"It’s a huge responsibility and honour to represent my country on the world stage, and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. No matter what happens, I know this experience will shape me as a person and as a karateka.
“I’m just so grateful for this opportunity,” she concluded.
Patrisia Fernandes’s journey is truly one to watch, as this young karate star from Kimberley proves that no place is too small for someone with big dreams.
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