17/10/2026
Morgan Moss Karate International Makes History at the 8th WGKF World Goju-Ryu Karate Championships in India
An extraordinary journey of dedication, teamwork and world-class performances culminates in a new chapter of MMKI's legacy.
From months of preparation to standing on the world stage, the members of Morgan Moss Karate International (MMKI) have returned from Pune, India, with achievements that will be remembered in the history of the dojo for years to come.
Representing South Africa at the 8th WGKF World Goju-Ryu Karate Championships, held from 5 to 10 October 2026, MMKI athletes delivered an outstanding series of performances, demonstrating the determination, discipline and team spirit that have become central to the club's identity.
The championships were about far more than medals. They represented the culmination of approximately 18 months of planning, preparation, sacrifice and commitment — and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for MMKI and its future generations of karateka.
# # # An outstanding performance on the world stage
The MMKI contingent contributed significantly to the South African Goju-Ryu team's campaign in Pune, achieving an impressive collection of medals and international accolades.
The reported results include:
41 Gold medals
18 Silver medals
18 Bronze medals
3 Fifth-place finishes
As reported in the overall championship results.
These results reflect the depth of talent within MMKI and the collective effort invested in preparing athletes to compete at the highest level of Goju-Ryu karate.
For every medal won, there were countless hours of training, personal sacrifices, the support of families, and the guidance of coaches working towards the same goal: representing South Africa with pride.
Individual achievements and medal winners
MMKI athletes delivered performances across the championships, with numerous competitors winning multiple medals and several adding their names to the ranks of World Goju-Ryu Champions.
The following results celebrate the individual achievements of the MMKI contingent.
Dominique Belt 🥈🥈5th
Martin Bergh 🥇
Evelyn Boonzaaier-Hemingway 🥇🥇🥈
Lamori Bornman 🥈🥈
Luandro Bornman 🥈🥉
Sara Cechova 🥇🥇
Wesley Dyssel 🥇🥈🥉
Brendan Engelbrecht 🥇🥇
Dewald Engelbrecht 🥇🥇🥇
Xander Engelbrecht 🥇 🥇
Gary Hemingway 🥇
Xavian Isaacs 🥇🥇
Elaine le Roux 🥈
Abharika Maharaj 🥈🥉🥉
Boitshepo Matlhahlane 🥈
Malaika Minyuku-Gotto 🥈
Jordan Moss 🥇🥈
Morgan Moss 🥇🥇🥇🥈
Naomi Nel 🥇🥇🥉
Natalie Nel 🥇🥇🥈
Ndumiso Ngubeni 🥉
Aiden Pansegrouw 🥇🥉
Gavin Pansegrouw 🥇 🥇
Chloë Preston 🥉
Joshua Redelinghuys🥇🥇
Kayne Roode 5th
Boipelo Sebole 🥇🥈
Khumoetsile Sekano 🥉
Otsile Tshenolo Sekano 🥇🥉
Monwabisi Sethi 🥇
Dale Seyffert: Participation
Dylan Seyffert 🥇🥇🥉
Logan Seyffert 🥇🥇🥉
Sakhekile Skwatsha 🥇🥈
Bradley Steyn 🥇🥉
Ricardo van Biljon-Moss 🥇🥇🥉
Jamie-Lee van den Heever 🥇 🥈🥉🥉
Noah van Druten-Nel 5th
Gutara'She Zabane 🥉🥉
Zaji Zabane 🥈
Every result represents an individual achievement, but collectively they tell a much bigger story: a club whose athletes continue to develop, challenge themselves and perform on the international stage.
Congratulations to every athlete who competed in Pune. Whether returning home with multiple medals, a podium finish, a fifth-place result or valuable competition experience, each athlete contributed to the journey and represented MMKI with pride.
The people behind the success
No successful international campaign happens through the efforts of athletes alone. Behind the performances in Pune was a dedicated coaching and support team whose contributions throughout the preparation period were invaluable.
As head coach, Morgan Moss led the team through the preparation process and guided the athletes towards the championships. The journey required careful planning, consistency, commitment and a shared belief in what the team could achieve.
Special recognition goes to assistant coaches Danielle van Wyk and Xander Engelbrecht.
Danielle stepped up from athlete to coach effortlessly, embracing a new responsibility and contributing to the team's preparations. Her willingness to put the needs of the team first demonstrated the kind of commitment that strengthens a dojo beyond the competition floor.
Xander also deserves special recognition for embracing his coaching role and finding his voice. Watching him grow into the responsibility of coaching and supporting fellow athletes was an important part of the journey.
A sincere thank you goes to Gavin Pansegrouw and Martin Bergh for their continuous input, guidance and support during the weeks leading up to the championships. Their contribution to training helped the athletes prepare for the demands of international competition.
Both Gavin Pansegrouw and Dewald Engelbrecht also contributed to the championships in another important capacity, officiating as referees at the event. Their willingness to serve the sport in this way reflects the broader contribution that experienced karateka make to the international karate community.
Finally, a very special acknowledgement must go to Morné Seyffert, our training partner who sacrificed his own body in the warm-up area to help prepare and support the athletes. That willingness to put himself on the line for others captures the spirit of teamwork that defined this campaign.
To all of you, thank you. Your contribution mattered, and this achievement would not have been the same without you.
The sacrifices behind the journey
It is equally important to recognise the families who made this journey possible. Behind every athlete who stood on the world stage in Pune was a family that invested far more than money. They invested countless hours, made sacrifices with their time, carried the emotional highs and lows of the journey, and committed financially to giving their children the opportunity to compete at this level.
International competition requires an enormous amount of commitment from families. From the preparations and training to the financial responsibilities and the emotional investment involved, these sacrifices should never be taken for granted.
To every parent and family member who helped make this journey possible, thank you. Your contribution to this achievement is invaluable. The opportunity these athletes received in Pune would not have been possible without your belief, commitment and willingness to sacrifice for their dreams.
A personal thank you to my family
On a more personal note, I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to my own family.
The journey to Pune demanded an enormous amount of my time, energy and attention over many months. To achieve what we did as a team required dedication, hard work and, at times, putting the needs of the team and the demands of preparation ahead of everything else.
Throughout this process, my family stood quietly in the background, supporting me and allowing me the opportunity to give everything I had to our athletes and to this campaign.
I know that my commitment came with sacrifices for them, too. Their patience, understanding and unwavering support gave me the freedom to focus on preparing our team and pursuing what has become a truly monumental achievement for MMKI.
To my family, thank you for allowing me to chase this vision, for standing behind me throughout the journey, and for making it possible for me to give so much of myself to our team. Your contribution may not be reflected in a medal tally, but it is woven into every success we celebrated in India.
This achievement belongs to you, too, and I will always be grateful for the sacrifices you made along the way.
A legacy that will inspire future generations
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the championships is what the results mean for the future of Morgan Moss Karate International.
Before these championships, MMKI had produced 15 WGKF World Champions throughout its history. With the addition of 23 further World Champions from the Pune campaign, that historical tally has risen to an extraordinary 38 WGKF World Champions.
That is a remarkable milestone for the dojo.
To have built a history that includes 38 WGKF World Champions is something to be immensely proud of. It reflects years of dedication, the development of athletes, the passing on of knowledge from one generation to the next, and the commitment to continually improving the standard of karate within the organisation.
For the younger athletes watching their seniors compete and succeed, these achievements provide tangible proof of what is possible. They can see that world-class performance is not simply a distant dream; it is something that can be pursued through hard work, discipline, consistency and a willingness to learn.
The experience gained in Pune will also contribute to the growth of our athletes as competitors and karateka. They return with new experiences, lessons learned under pressure, and a better understanding of what is required to compete internationally.
This is the true value of international competition. The medals are important, but the knowledge, confidence and inspiration that athletes bring home can influence the dojo for years to come.
Eighteen months of planning, one shared goal
The team spirit and dedication displayed throughout the process were unbelievable. The journey to India was not something that happened overnight. It was the result of approximately 18 months of preparation, planning, commitment and collective effort.
Athletes, coaches and families all played their part. The process required sacrifices, perseverance and a willingness to remain focused on a long-term objective, even when the work became demanding.
The success achieved in Pune demonstrates the value of long-term planning. Preparing for a world championship requires more than simply turning up to compete. It requires a structured approach, the development of athletes over time, attention to detail and a team that understands the importance of working towards a common goal.
The results in India are a testament to that process.
And while the team has every reason to celebrate, there is already another goal on the horizon.
Preparation for the 2028 World Championships will begin within the next few weeks.
There will be lessons to review, standards to improve, new athletes to develop and fresh goals to pursue. The experience of 2026 will become part of the foundation on which the next campaign is built.
The ambition is not simply to repeat what has been achieved, but to continue developing the athletes and strengthening the legacy of MMKI.
A proud moment for MMKI and South African Goju-Ryu karate
The 8th WGKF World Goju-Ryu Karate Championships in Pune will remain a significant chapter in the history of Morgan Moss Karate International.
The medals, the world titles and the individual achievements deserve to be celebrated. But so too does the commitment of every athlete, the dedication of the coaching team, the contribution of the referees and training partners, and the support that made the journey possible.
To every MMKI member who represented South Africa, congratulations. You have contributed to a legacy that will inspire those who follow in your footsteps.
To our coaches, training partners, parents and supporters, thank you for being part of this journey. Your efforts are woven into the success celebrated today.
And to our athletes: enjoy this moment, take pride in what you have accomplished, and remember the work that brought you here.
The journey does not end in Pune. In many ways, it is only the beginning of what comes next.
The legacy continues. The standards rise. And the road to 2028 begins now.
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
