Sensei still hungry for success

Roku Dan sensei Louis Ramakulukusha of the New World Shotokan Karate dojo in Crystal Park recently won a gold medal in kata at the Karate South Africa (KSA) senior national championships in Turffontein.

Despite being in the sport for 32 years, he’s still raring to go. He competed in both kata and kumite.

He was selected for the national team to represent the country at the CANA Zone V championships.

“I’m also looking forward to representing South Africa at the Commonwealth Games in July and the UFAK Karate Championship,” he said.

Ramakulukusha cut his teeth in the sport in 1990 in KwaNdebele under the leadership of instructor sensei Tsebo Mohapi.

“During those times, karate was a respected discipline and members carried themselves in a disciplined manner.
“I was lucky that I spent a lot of time travelling with my sensei to events such as gashkus and refereeing courses. He had a successful career and was passionate about the development of karate in KwaNdebele.”

He said the sport’s emphasis on discipline helped him achieve great things in his personal and professional life.

“Karate gave me a competitive edge, along with the wisdom and endurance that allowed me to excel academically. I have six tertiary qualifications, including a master’s degree.”

His love for the sport exposed him to martial arts and Kung-Fu movies and like the protagonists in those films, he wanted to be a gangster.

“Growing up in a township exposed me to the world of gangs. I wanted to be a powerful gangster, just like in the karate movies. So I started karate with that silly thought. But such ambitions faded as I was surrounded by sound-minded and disciplined people.”

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Ramukulukusha graded to first Dan in 1994. For seven years he couldn’t grade further due to financial constraints, but he kept on participating in events such as the SASSU Games, where he achieved success.

It was only in the new millennium that Ramukulukusha began his gradual climb to the top echelons of the sport.

“I graded to second Dan in 2002 and third Dan in 2004 under ninth Dan sensei Nigel Jackson. I graded to fourth Dan under the WSKF Japanese instructor, sensei Hitohi Kasuya, in 2008. I graded to my fifth and sixth Dans under sensei Nigel Jackson.”

He explained the sport has taught him to approach every situation with calmness and insight. This, he said, has turned him into a well-rounded and respected athlete.

“Karate taught me fortitude and tenacity, which has helped me manage many stressful situations in my career and business. It has instilled in me a strong character, be it mentally, physically or emotionally. Most of all, it has taught me humanity and respect for others.”

Ramukulukusha has enjoyed many successes, such as topping the rankings in his division in both kata and kumite and witnessing his students grow. Despite all this, he has remained humble in his success.

“Nothing beats hard work and working consistently to achieve your goals. Constant practice and repetition build champions. Karate has also taught me to overcome procrastination.”

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