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Although this newsletter is a tad late I would still like to wish all of you a healthy 2009. Our organization The All S.A. Kyokushin Union has grown immensely, with Gauteng showing wonderful growth. Shihan Steven Helm and Sensei Thulane Sibisi leading the front in promoting the All Japan Kyokushin Union, our mother body in Japan.
Grading December 2008:
A total of 35 Juniors and 26 Adults attempted their senior grades from 3rd Kyu to Yondan on the 6th December 2008. The grading panel of Senseis Hakeem, Charmaine, Samson assisted by Sempais Wlliam, Justin, Likhwa, Resistance and I had their work cut out for 7 hours.
Probably the most gratifying thing to see at an advanced grading is the growth in maturity and confidence, physical as well psychological, in the young up and coming new generation of black belts. We the teachers at our Dojo have spend years grooming these youngsters and it is most satisfying and heart warming to see one’s efforts being rewarded.
The following senior grades were achieved:
Yondan: Sensei Amen Mayisela - Swaziland
Sensei Haroun Trimm - Cape Town
Sandan: Sensei Thulane Sibisi- Gauteng
Nidan: Sempai Kieran Crowe
Shodan: Steven Korber, Haroun Ibrahim, Andrew Emdon all Cape Town; Elvis Tsotetsi, Enkie Sello, Mandla Ndlela, John Alvaro, David Ramotsepe, Nthabiseng Moloi, Thlolugelo Zwane,Mpho Nobunga, Xolile Vena, Thabang Rashaba, Solomon Molekoa, Aubrey Soka all Gauteng.
Congratulations to all of you: I would like to remind all our new black belts of the following:
Black is the nearest representative of Spirit for a karate-ka, black is the colour of strength; NEVERTHELESS , arrival at shodan is a new beginning!!!
ZIMBABWE:
There is no need for me to describe the dire situation in Zimbabwe. In October last year I made an international appeal for financial assistance to help our Kyokushin friends and families, especially the children. It gives me great pleasure to tell you that we colleted almost R20 000 from our overseas Kyokushin Union members. Japan, Germany, Italy, Belgium were the main contributors and the money has been disbursed to 19 families in Zimbabwe each receiving R1000 which tied them over for food and fresh water for a month.
As I am writing this an additional R9000 has arrived from Europe, which I will distribute to our desperate Zimbabwe Karate families. I am in the process of setting up a joint fundraiser with our Dutch Kyokushin friends and hopefully I will be able to report more good news next month. With the economic situation as it is, it is remarkable that we still managed to raise some funds, thanks to our overseas Kyokushin friends.
Group PICTURE AT BOTTUM OF THIS PAGE Heading: Senior Grading 6 December 2008
Left hand column back page (PLUS Picture of Cameron Dugmore) Heading: Cameron Dugmore, Minister of Sport and Recreation presenting Shihan Bas with his Sports Legend award: December 2008
KARATE HONOUR:
I was honoured to receive the prestigious Legend of Karate award at a glamorous function held the Kirstenbosch Gardens in December. Cameron Dugmore the minister of Sport and Recreation, Western Cape, honoured me for my 45 years of service to the karate community. I was rather humbled by the occasion and dedicated my award to my teacher Shihan Len Barnes, the “Father of Karate” in South Africa.
This coming week we expecting a visit from Shihan Roel Wildeboer from the Netherlands. Shihan Roel is a friend of mine from the “old”days and was coach of the Dutch National Kyokushin team during the 90’s He currently teaches flighting classes world wide, including Japan.
We are gearing up for our participation in the World Karate Championship to be held in OSAKA Japan on the 27/28th June 2009. South Africa will be represented by Shihan Steven Helm, Sensei Joseph Tulane (heavyweight) Bongani Zungu (lightweight) Ladies ,Sensei Charmaine Abrahams
(Lightweight) Murendi Ramuthaga (girls open), whilst Sensei Samson Muripo will represent Zimbabwe. Swaziland has entered two contestants Phumelelo Gondwe and Siza Magongo.
It is going to be very stressful as we are also hosting our First ever All South Africa Kyokushin Union Tournament on the 19/20th June, commemorating the 6th anniversary of Shihan Len Barnes’s death. Our SA tournament will be bigger than last year with the addition of an adult division, male and female.
Official invitation will be posted in March. We expect participation from Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Botswana and Ghana. The tournament will be held in Cape Town at the Sea Point Civic Centre.
Bushido Day:
Please keep Sunday 29th March 2009 open for our bi-annual open childrens day. Our Bushido days have become very popular, with all ages participating and an opportunity for your child to show you as parent how he/she has progressed with his karate. I would like all our children to participate, from 4-12 years. Full details will be given out during the first week in March. This will also be an opportunity for the senseis to select the under 8,10 and 12 year old fighters for our international tournament on the 20th June.
Classes at our Honbu:
The year 2009 has started well with Senseis Hakeem and Charmaine, Sempais William, Carol and Justin having taken on a much bigger role in teaching with Justin assisting me with the day time childrens classes, which have grown tremendously.
Sensei Hakeem particularly is giving our senior class a strenuous workout, whilst Sensei Charmaine is putting our Saturday morning class on the right footing.
I have been working on improving our standard of kata. Kata could arguably be judge to be the most important part of one’s karate training. The Sanchin and and Tenchin katas were, for Sosei Oyama, the two dominant katas. Properly executed and understood they will singularly help you to develop your Chi. Shihan Len Barnes used to talk about your “Tan Tien” muscle. I only understood years later what he was talking about, it being not so much a muscle as but the centre and circulation of your energy, located about 5cm below your navel.
Important dates to remember:
29th March BUSHIDO DAY
3rd April Schools close for recess: No day time childrens classes.
14th April Schools re-open: Childrens day time classes resume.
20th June Len Barnes Memorial Tournament
27/28 June World Kyokushin Tournament Osaka, Japan
OSU; Bas van Stenis
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