15-year-old karateka attempts 100 katas to fund training in Japan
15-year-old Sebastian Sonnekus will attempt 100 karate katas in one session at 5:30am in Wellington to raise funds for a training trip to Okinawa, Japan.
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While most teenagers are still asleep, 15-year-old Sebastian Sonnekus will be stepping onto the floor at 5:30am on Friday to push his limits in a gruelling test of endurance and discipline.
The young karateka is attempting to complete 100 katas in a single session at FitLife Wellington, a physically and mentally demanding challenge aimed at raising funds for a once-in-a-lifetime training trip to Okinawa, Japan.
A kata is a precise sequence of movements simulating combat against multiple opponents, requiring focus, control and repetition. Sebastian, who currently knows about 25 katas, will cycle through them multiple times to reach his target. The effort is expected to take between three and four hours.
The early-morning event, set for March 27, is open to the public, with community members encouraged to stop by, show support, or even join in for a few katas before heading to school or work. Fellow students from the Boland Dragons dojo in Paarl and Wellington will also join him throughout the morning, while live updates will be shared on social media.
At the heart of the challenge is a bigger goal. Sebastian is raising funds to travel to Okinawa in July, widely regarded as the birthplace of karate, where he will train alongside his sensei, JP van Heerden, as well as international instructors.
His mother, Elizna Sonnekus, said the family initially took out a loan to secure the opportunity and are now working to cover the costs.
“We are incredibly proud of his determination to take responsibility for his dream,” she said.
Sebastian has thrown himself into the fundraising effort, making homemade energy bars, offering extra karate lessons and even handcrafting equipment bags to generate support.
“It means a lot to me to see what my parents sacrifice so I can do what I love,” he said.
Despite his age, Sebastian already has an impressive track record. He represented South Africa at the 2025 World Union of Karate-Do Federations World Championships in Sweden, where he secured gold in kata and silver in kobudo.
If he qualifies for the national team again this year, and funding allows, he hopes to return to the international stage.
Donations towards his trip can be made via his Back-a-Buddy campaign, with coffee and pancakes also on sale at the venue on Friday morning.
The event starts at 5:30am at FitLife Wellington and is open to the public.