Exciting karate-hub launched in Fourways

The Fourways area has exploded in recent years with lovers of karate joining established and newly opened dojos.

In the words of Sadashige Kato, founder of the International Japan Karate-do Association, ‘To train in karate is to create and be part of an ideal society where discrimination against poverty, race, religion, and beliefs is eliminated’.

Kato wished for the community to strive towards this noble goal and work towards building a better world for everyone.

It is on the back of these words that in 2021, IJKA South Africa was launched, by its chief instructor sensei Bernard Buys with the hope of establishing a new platform for martial arts enthusiasts across the African continent.

Despite being in operation for less than three years, the association has already gained significant growth, boasting an impressive 3 000 students spread across 27 dojos throughout South Africa and five other African nations namely, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

And the growth continues – particularly in the Fourways area, with two new dojos recently opened at Heronbridge College and Dainfern College Junior Prep.

This is in addition to established dojos at Blair Atholl, Copperleaf Estate, Dainfern Estate, and Pinnacle College Copperleaf, said the head of commercial affairs at IJKA South Africa, Leon Greyling.

“These are dojos where the chief instructor Buys teaches more than 150 students every day of the week, except Sundays,” he added.

Karate is a Japanese martial art that has been developed and refined over centuries as a system of self-defence. It involves using various parts of the human body, including the hands, feet, elbows, and knees, to strike, block, and counterattack scientifically and effectively.

“Karate is not only a physical discipline but also a mental one, requiring practitioners to cultivate focus, discipline, and mindfulness. Through rigorous training, karate practitioners develop strength, speed, agility, balance, coordination, and self-confidence, all of which can be applied not only in self-defence situations but also in everyday life.

“Physically it is excellent for the heart, builds strong bones and bigger muscles, creates resilience, and makes the body less susceptible to sickness and injury. In all these ways, karate is profoundly helpful to young people in dealing with the many challenges facing them today. It brings them balance and perspective at an age when these are needed most. It adds a strong foundation to their character,” said Greyling.

This week, IJKA SA will be launching its new website that contains a wealth of information on karate, from its benefits to loads of other interesting facts – including a photo gallery, and a calendar of events. The recent event was a family Padel Ball Challenge and a merchandise store. Please visit www.ijka.co.za for more details.

To watch their Trailer, click here

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