For the love of karate (Alison Downie)

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In sport, as in life, the pursuit of a dream is a journey of transformation.

I’m a woman.

I’m almost 50.

And I’m going to Japan.

I’ve made it to the Goju-Kai World Championships.

At the Goju-Kai nationals held in August 2024, I was selected as one of the team to represent South Africa at the Goju-Kai World Championships (at the age of 50, nogals!), taking place in Japan between 7 and 10 August 2025.

There is no doubt in my mind that competing in Japan is likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Japan (specifically Okinawa) is the birthplace of Goju-Kai karate … the cultural immersion is likely to be something I will not experience again. For anyone who loves sport, you can appreciate how competing internationally adds a dimension to one’s sporting persona that cannot be achieved in any other way.

Representing South Africa comes with a hefty price tag: a total of what is estimated to be a minimum of R63,000, with airfar...