Ian Duncan: A local karate legend
KYALAMI – Local resident achieves what few in the karate world have: the rank of 8th Dan.
A 46-year karate career has culminated in a Kyalami resident receiving the prestigious 8th Dan rank.
Ian Duncan (65) has been doing karate since 1973. Born and bred in Manchester, England, Duncan was first inspired to take up martial arts when he saw Bruce Lee perform in the movie, Enter the Dragon.
“I was 19 at the time and went and found a sports club that had Shotokan karate and began instructing three years later when I had my brown belt,” he said.
Duncan explained that the five maxims of karate resonated within him. These are to strive for a good moral character, keep an honest and sincere way, cultivate perseverance or will for striving, develop a respectful attitude and restrain aggression through spiritual attainment.
Duncan was transferred to South Africa in 1982 through his job as a boilermaker for substations. He continued to practice karate and succeed in gradings for higher ranks through the years.
In 1996 Duncan pursued karate full time and established the Ian Duncan Karate Centre, an affiliate of grandmaster Mikio Yahara of Japan and deputy grandmaster Malcolm Dorfman of the Karatenomichi World Federation.
It was during a visit from grandmaster Yahara in March that Duncan was graded to 8th Dan, an incredible achievement that only a handful reach.
“It was never my goal to reach 8th Dan, only to keep training and do well whenever I grade for another rank. The gap between achieving 7th Dan and 8th Dan took 13 years.”
He said this accomplishment was thanks to all his dedication and training over the years.
“All I want to do now is train more and give back in my lessons. I teach 10 or 11 classes per week.”
Duncan instructs at Crawford College Lonehill, Dainfern College Junior Preparatory, Beaulieu Preparatory School, Beaulieu College and Kyalami Preparatory School.
He said he loves teaching youngsters because he feels a greater thrill when children grasp a concept and improve, than when adults do.
He said again he will not specifically work towards the next rank but will continue to train and teach for many years to come.
Details: www.facebook.com/ianduncankarate
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