Karatekas punch their way to reward
Skukuza is not only home to dedicated rangers and amazing wildlife but also to a group of talented karatekas.
They are guided by instructors Sandra and Danie Janse van Vuuren, who also run the Hazyview Dojo, and are a part of the Lowveld Shotokan organisation.
The club held its annual prize-giving ceremony during the December holidays and the students’ smiles were almost as bright as the trophies they received for their hard work and dedication to the sport throughout the year. Sandra says it takes discipline and determination to complete a year and believes that handing out trophies and rewarding them, gives the students motivation and a goal for each year.
All of them did very well with their gradings and moved onto the next colour belt.
Floating trophies were handed out to the following students:
• Ruben Lorist for best senior boy and karateka of the year
• EJ Verschoor for best junior boy
• Emma Ronaldson for best senior girl
• Jade Ronaldson for best junior girl
• Madison Knight for best attitude
• Brendan Leslie for best etiquette
• Ewane Verschoor for best technique girls
• Julia Ronaldson for best technique – perseverance
• Elana Mol for enthusiasm
• Iwann le Roux for perseverance
• Juan Mol for best ninja boy
• Nadia Lorist for best ninja girl
• Griffin Hofmeyr for best kiai
• Cole Boyd for best spirit
• Reply Chauke for best punches.
Karatekas of the Lowveld regularly visit them for competitions and even had a training session there in May to prepare for the half-year grading. The karatekas had the unique experience of practising outside when the weather got too hot, and were treated to many wildlife sightings during their trip to and from Skukuza. The Janse van Vuurens also ensure that masters in the field visit the Hazyview and Skukuza dojos for talks and classes throughout the year to ensure that their students get to see the best the sport has to offer and that their technique is of the highest quality.
Classes at both the Hazyview and Skukuza dojos will start soon and karatekas and their supporters can look forward to another year packed with exciting competitions and training sessions.
Enquiries: Sandra on 082-530-3396 or Danie on 082-756-1636.
