The saying goes Jack of all trades, master of none, but in the case of 20-year-old Katleho Moloi, it is more of a case of Jack of all trades, master of all.

This past weekend, during the USSA Karate Championships in Pietermaritzburg, the 20-year-old Tuks medical student not only won two bronze medals. He was also the Tuks team coach. Under his guidance, his teammates won a gold, silver and bronze.

It is an impressive feat considering that Moloi participated in two categories (under-60 and open), winning five of his fights. In the meantime, he had to motivate his teammates and offer them advice and guidance.

Moloi admits that he would not have been able to do what he did if it were not for his three coaches, Megan Smit, Wenette Jordaan and Franco du Plessis.

"I apply the lessons they taught me through karate to every facet of my life. The discipline that karate requires is one of the first things that attracted me to the sport. When it comes to coaching, it is essential to me that a karateka should have the confidence to back himself when fighting. I make them understand that the hard work has already been done and that it is normal to have pre-fight jitters."

Moloi's passion for karate began about 10 years ago after he saw the movie Karate Kid.

"Right then and there, I decided I wanted to do karate. I went to the nearest dojo. As I entered for the first time, the discipline of the sport caught my attention. Everyone was totally focused on perfectly executing the techniques needed to kick and punch."

When asked what it takes to be competitive in karate, Moloi answers as follows: "In a competition, it all starts with the stare down before the fight. The moment the fight begins, you've got to suss out your opponent. Things like which leg they favour. Are they a kicker or a puncher? Then you've got to make sure that you take them entirely out of the fight and dominate what happens on the mats. Fitness is of cardinal importance because when you kick or punch, you've got to be as quick as possible. In karate, it is all about reaction time.

"As I compete in the under-60kg category, I am required to be a speed fighter as my opponents are some of the fastest in the sport. My best trait is throwing punches and then going for the body with a kick."

Moloi admits that the blood has already flowed when he fights. He has also walked away with a black eye or a cracked rib a few times.

To try and put him on the spot, I asked Moloi how, as an aspiring doctor, he could relate to a sport in which the goal is to injure one's opponent. His answer surprises me.

"Karate is focused on self-discipline and building character. The end goal is to be able to defend others rather than inflict pain. Competitions are only a friendly rivalry," Moloi explained.