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We have had an exciting two months of karate since our successful Len Barnes Memorial Tournament. In August we participated in the International Ashihara Tournament and our fighters came out on top. Sensei Samson Muripo won the mens open division beating the Afghanistan champion Wahid Ahmed in an thrilling final. Justin Petersen became the under 18 champion and than entered the mens lightweight division coming SECOND! Both these karateka kept the Kyokushin Union flag flying high. Our children collected 1 trophy and 7 medals, whilst In the novice division Juan de Roock came second.
In August we also participated in the Kyokushin Tri nations tournament under Shihan Kenny Uytenbogaardt, unfortunately our invitation arrived late and we only entered two students with Lara Goldin being unlucky in her fight against the SA female champion. It was great to see Shihan Trevor Tockar and his Australian team as well as seeing Shihan Jose Clarinino again. Shihan Jose is one of the legends of British Kyokushin karate.
Sigun Rick Spain, a Kung Fu specialist from Australia conducted a class at our Honbu and despite having a serious injury gave a marvelous demonstration, much admired by our students. With Shihan Tockar was Sempai Sarah Lappin, holder of several black belts in various martial arts, who gave a superb demonstration at the Tri Nations Tournament.
Sensei Samson: The undisputed South African Champion 2008
One of the highlights of the full contact karate calender in South Africa is the annual Karate South Africa National Championships. KSA held its tournament in Johannesburg on the 27th September. We the SA Kyokushin Union entered 12 fighters and obtained 8 places. The outstanding performance came from Samson Muripo who become the SA National Champion with George Mutambo runner up. This was a huge feather in the cap of the SA Kyokushin Union. Well done Sensei and Sempai, we are all proud of you. Sempai Thulane’s students, Sam Skosana, Sfiso Mbokazi, Gift Mofokeng and Phindile Matabane all went home with medals, congratulations Sempai. We the Kyokushin Union have left an indelible mark on the South African karate scene.
BUSHIDO DAY:
Sunday the 14th September we held our bi-annual Bushido day at Honbu. 60 of our Greenpoint kids participated and we Started with the <5 year olds. The winner was David-Gedalia Ordman, silver Rulida Louw with bronze going to Joseph Ruiz and Ryan Hendler. Both David-Gedalia and Joseph participated for the first time!
6 Year Olds: Zac Brivik emerged as the Gold medal winner with Tal Eisenberg getting silver, the bronze medals went to Matthew Koton and Eden Faclier.
7 Year olds: This was the biggest division with 24 fighters. The winner was Daniel Hammerson who competed for the first time and fought 4 fights to get to first place. Silver went Jayden Solomon with bronze going to Samuel Finder and Kerrin Baker. Samuel had to relinquish his title as undisputed champion, but promised that he will be back! He had previously won 4 successive gold medals.
The girls division was one by Casey Syms with Claudia Greenberg getting silver.
8 year olds: Zachary Solomon showed that his impressive performance at the Len Barnes Tournament was not by chance and defeated Aaron Kruss van der Heever to gain a gold medal. Aaron participating for the first time got a deserved sliver medal.
The girls division was again dominated by Milla Peerutin with Sarah Symons getting silver and the bronze medals being shared by Rachael Musikanth and Usreen Koopman
10 year olds: Michaela Symons and Demi Caldis fought a ding-dong battle with Michaella winning gold whilst Demi had to settle for silver.
The Boys for the first time at our Bushido tournaments did “Full Contact”. The lightweight division was won by “veteran” Jean-Luc Ciapparelli who beat Stefan Langenhoven in an exciting final. Matthew Abrahams and Aaron Sherman shared bronze.
In the heavy weight division Levi Solomon dominated beating Alexander Korber in the final with powerful punches. Evan Friedman and Gus Robins both got bronze medals.
12 year olds: The lightweight division was won by Sasha Abramowitz who defeated Daniel Sherman in a exciting final with Jason Smith and John Jordaan both getting bronze.
The heavyweight division was decided between Samuel Rosenberg and Alexandre Ortscheit These two boys have fought each other on numerous occasions and know each other well. In a close fight Samuel emerged victorious, but no doubt Alexandre is planning his revenge.
14 Year Olds: This was a very tough division with Joel Berman, Daniel Jones, Christian Menda and Maset Thamie all participating for the first time. The Klass twins dominated the fights and the contest between Steven Korber and Jake Klass was particularly hard and uncompromising. Jake Klass achieved gold followed by his brother Adam silver with Steven Korber and Christian Menda both bronze. The standard of fighting was very high and promises well for the future of our club and the Kyokushin Union. I am very proud of all of you who participated.
Our SA Kyokushin Union is growing with leaps and bounds, Shihan Steven Helm from Gauteng and Sensei Amen Mayisela from Swaziland have both applied for full membership with the All Japan Kyokushin Union. At present we have Sempai Joseph Thulane Gauteng, Sensei Haroun Trimm, Sensei Rachmatolie Salie and Sempai Jonathan Smith all from Cape Town as associated members. In 2009 we will be forming an official National and Regional Union with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Swaziland as the founding countries.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
1-4th Dec Club Grading
6th Dec Brown and Black belt grading
19/20th June 2009 Len Barnes Memorial Tournament Cape Town, Children and Adults.
29th June 2009 World Karate Tournament Osaka, Japan
Our black belt grading will be an important event with Senseis Mayisela and Trimm attempting their Yondan grade. Both these senior Kyokushin exponents have been loyal Kyokushin members for many years and their promotions are long overdue.
Sempai Thulane will attempt his Sandan grade. Sensei Samson Muripo is making a special trip to Cape Town to assist with the grading, which will also be attended by Shihan Steven Helm from Gauteng.
Wishing all those of you attempting their Shodan grading good luck and remember your Shodan black belt is only the first step on a long road to perfection.
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Our Future Champions |
