Former karate world champion to visit Kempton
George Best will conduct seminars in Kempton Park, Makhanda, Brackenfell and Cape Town.
United Shotokan-Ryu will bring ex-world karate champion George Best to South Africa – and Kempton Park – in September.
Best hails from Manchester, United Kingdom. During his visit, Best will conduct seminars in Kempton Park, Makhanda (Eastern Cape) and Brackenfell and Cape Town (Western Cape).
The Gauteng seminar will take place at Hercules Jansen van Vuuren’s Rising Sun Karate Dojo in Kempton Park on the evening of September 5. The training is open to all belt levels of karatekas eight years and older, irrespective of style and/or organisation.
Best first started training in shotokan karate at the age of 11, under the instruction of his father, John. Later he also trained under the legendary Japanese karate master, Keinosuke Enoeda, and Andy Sherry of the Karate Union of Great Britain.
Best’s debut as a senior in an international event came in 1984 when, at the age of 16, he was selected by Sherry (squad coach) to compete in the team kumite category at the European Championships in Turkey.
Thereafter, Best went on to successfully represent Great Britain and England on numerous occasions. With Best’s dedication, commitment and hard training, he assisted England and Team Great Britain in winning the European Team Kumite Championships on five occasions, and the World Championships twice, making them one of the most successful karate nations in the world.
Best is renowned for his kicking techniques, as well as for his speed and power. His distancing, timing and body movement are phenomenal, making him one of the best karate exponents Team GB has ever produced.
Among his many accolades, Best defeated Masao Kagawa, former JKA Grand Champion twice at the World Shotokan Cup in Brisbane, Australia, in 1988.
United Shotokan-Ryu chairperson Gary Grapentin believes the seminars will be an excellent opportunity for South African karatekas to learn from one of the discipline’s all time greats.
This will be Best’s first visit to South African shores.
For further information about the Kempton Park seminar contact local organiser Paul Da Silva at paul.swskd@gmail.com or on 083 226 6474 (also on WhatsApp).
