Shihan Thage tells how he developed a love for karate

Karate Shihan Peter Thage (62) was born in Germiston in 1954 to parents Lerata Thage and Jessie Thage.

He developed his love for karate at the age of 10.

Thage told Kathorus MAIL how it all started and what he has achieved as a karateka since he started to partake in the sport.

“I developed a love for karate after seeing James Bond movies in 1964. I had to do some research because I desperately wanted to train and be like Bond.

“My research led me to Sensei Arthur Bortman and Shihan Len Barnes who are from Scotland but lived in Boksburg. They trained me until I graduated to black belt in 1975.

“In 1977, I had an opportunity to go to Japan and stayed there for three months. During my stay there I was very fortunate to be trained by the world founder of full-contact style (training that allows to kick everywhere on the body but not in the face) by the name of Masutatsu Oyama, a Korean who was living in Japan at that time. Oyama trained me and showed me how to balance a kombi on my tummy. From there I never looked back,” said Thage.

“After returning from Japan, I was given DH Williams Hall by the municipality to train karateka, where I train the young and old in defensive skills. I also trained soldiers at Lenz Military Place.

“Famous actors Joe Mafela and Simon Sabela saw me training the soldiers and invited me to do choreography in the film industry. From there it was karate and acting. I acted in the drama Isandla Sensimbi which aired on CCV-TV and worked behind the scenes in Muvhango,” said Thage.

Thage has also worked in the international film.

“In 1992, I worked with the likes of John Savage, James Earl Jones and Jackie Chan, to name the few,” Thage said.

Thage also spoke about his role in karate at the moment.

“I am presently the vice president of United World Karate Federation and national technical director of Full-Contact South Africa and have so far graded more than 20 black-belt holders in this country.

“I am the only karateka in South Africa to receive the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2011, awarded by the Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula. Other winners of this award include Irvin Khoza, Molefi Oliphant, Danny Jordaan and Ernie Els.

“I am now a shihan, meaning ‘master’,” concluded Thage.