A group of 24 deaf children from South Africa have earned their place on the national karate team that will compete at the 2026 Dream Cup Festival in Japan, marking a groundbreaking moment in the history of deaf sport.
The young athletes, trained at Mas sê Dojo Shinkyokushin in Katlehong, have achieved what many thought impossible — competing in a vocal sport alongside hearing participants and exceeding all expectations.
Their selection represents not only a personal triumph for each child, but a milestone for the deaf community in South Africa.
The team is now fundraising to cover the cost of flight tickets to Japan.
The community and supporters are encouraged to share the campaign and contribute through the Back-A-Buddy crowdfunding platform.
Beyond the tournament, the campaign carries a broader message — advocating for sign language to be recognised as a 12th official language of South Africa, and pushing for greater inclusion of the deaf community across sporting platforms.
Support & Contact Information
- Phone or WhatsApp: 083 524 3387
- Email: Massedojo@outlook.com
- Facebook: Mas sê Dojo Shinkyokushin
