Kempton youngsters 1st in SA to get black belts before 16 years of age
In SA, this honour is only attributed at the age of 18, but Vivian and Juan-Pierre achieved first Dan/senpai titles at the ages of 11 and 12.
Two Tenshinkan students at the Kempton Dojo in Van Riebeeck Park are the first South Africans to achieve black belts at their age during the Japan World Championships and Gasshuku in June.
Vivian Serestely (11) from Laerskool Edleen and Juan-Pierre Esterhuizen (12) from Laerskool Birchleigh achieved their first Dan, or rather Senpai. According to Juan-Pierre’s mother Irna, South Africans normally reach first Dan level at the age of 18.
“With permission from the Kancho and our own chief instructor, Hanshi Hans Haupt, it can be achieved at the age of 16,” she said.
During the championships, Serestely won gold for kata and Juan-Pierre raked in bronze for kumite in the u-16 category and fourth place for kata.
In the 15 days spent abroad, the two enjoyed the honour of practising alongside Kancho Mamoru Miwa Sensei for 12 days, which formed part of the Gasshuku, which means to lodge together.
This special training lasts for several days, engages keen students in a lifestyle of living together and training for several hours each day.
“As part of this training, they had to wash the dojo floors, doors and windows each day, in addition to washing the Kancho’s car,” Irna told Express.
Kancho Mamoru Miwa Sensei is the master and founder of the Tenshinkan karate style and association. According to Haupt: “He is a 10th Dan black belt karate master and was crowned the Japanese All Style World Champion of 1970, as well as the All Japan Kata Champion in 1971.”
While in Japan, they spent three days in Singapore to help adjust to the jetlag, to which Vivian said: “I loved seeing and riding the roller coasters.”
In Singapore they paid a visit to Santosa Island and Universal Studios. Juan-Pierre said he’d return to live there once he’s grown up.
“I loved seeing the modern inventions and lifestyle of Singapore, as well as visiting the Nikko Temple and seeing ancient things, like swords and medieval weapons,” Juan-Pierre said.
Juan-Pierre started practising karate at the age of seven and Vivian at the age of eight.
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