SHE is fast and furious, only 9 years old and already has won several gold medals for her outstanding karate skills.
Cordelia Olwamuthando Matroos, or Lia as she is known, joined Sensei Xolisile Netnou from Goku Kai Karate Club in KwaNobuhle, at the age of seven. Since starting, it was only her first ever fight that she has lost.
Her latest achievements as an Eastern Province karateka include winning a gold medal for kata at a tournament held in Cape Town and winning bronze for kumite at a Karate South Africa tournament held in Bloemfontein.
She now is heading to Gauteng, where she will participate in the Arnold Classic Africa 2019, the biggest three day multi-sport event on the African continent. World famous strongman and actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger will be present at the event which will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre from 17-19 May.
Sensei Netnou said Lia is an outstanding karateka.
“She is a born champion and will receive her South African colours for karate at an event to be held in Durban during July.
“I am so happy for her. She is an ambassador for us and has been to places and events that I never had the privilege to attend. That makes me so proud of her,” said Sensei Netnou.
The weekend after her attendance of the Arnold Classic Africa, Lia has to represent South Africa at the African Union Sport Council Region 5 event in Namibia on 25 and 26 May. Thereafter, from 26 to 28 July, she needs to be in Durban to participate in the KSA Elite & SA Open Champiohsip and KSA Awards.
During August Lia is invited to Botswana to participate in the UFAK Junior & Senior Championships and in October again to Durban for the KSA League 3 tournament.
Lia’s father Mtunzi Sikweyiya, a traffic officer at the Nelson Mandela Bay Traffic Department and keen soccer player for Toronto Blizzard Football Club, said: “I am very proud of my Lia, she wins gold wherever she goes.”
But Sikweyiya said he remembers her first ever karate tournament which she participated and she lost.
“She cried so much, but that motivated her to give her best as she said she never ever wants to lose again.
“Karate is a super sport and especially the discipline it instills in a person. I can see how it has changed Lia’s life.”
Lia’s mother Phindiwe Lorette Matroos, a ballroom and Latin American dancer as well as hockey player said she is “over the moon” with her daughter’s achievements.
“I did not expect for her, being to young, to already have achieved so much,” said Matroos.
Lia is a Grade 3 learner at Ankervas Primary School in Rocklands and stays with her aunt, Theresa Sikweyiya.
“Lia is my star. She is so dedicated and not only physically strong, but also has a strong mind.”
The biggest challenges for Lia is to get sponsorships and to raise enough funds to be able to represent South Africa, the Eastern Province and KwaNobuhle at the various events.
- To assist Lia in her rise as a young South African champion contact Theresa Sikweyiya at 073 548 9256.
