Vryheid to host Hanami Gi Challenge
Vryheid will be hosting the Hanami Gi Challenge, which may become an annual event on the Vryheid sporting calendar, providing a fantastic opportunity for scouts and participants in martial arts of many different kinds.
ON APRIL 27, Vryheid will be playing host to the 2014 Hanami Gi Challenge, a tournament showcasing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, currently the fastest growing martial art in the world.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which is still somewhat unknown in South Africa, has solidified its popularity within Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), as the art of submitting through chokes and armbars.
The Hanami Gi Challenge has brought a new focus on martial arts within Vryheid and what Vryheid has to offer for its citizens.
Throughout Vryheid’s existence, a few boxing and wrestling clubs have contributed to the idea of western martial arts within the town.
The mid 1970s saw Alan Holmes introduce its first eastern martial art, Karate, to Vryheid, an art that was introduced to South Africa a decade earlier. Since the 1970s, many residents from Vryheid claimed fame for their martial arts achievements in both western and eastern martial arts.
Currently Vryheid boasts three organised martial arts schools:
The oldest is the Japanese Karate Association (JKA), under the instruction of Sensei Nazeer Hoosen, established by Alan Holmes in the 1970’s.
The second school is Vryheid Kyokushin Kai Karate Dojo under the instruction of Sensei Sifizo Myeni. It was established in 1999, in the style of Kyokushin Kai.
The third school, and the latest addition to Vryheid’s martial arts culture, is Kilian Academy, under the instruction of Sensei Abrie Kilian, founded in 2013. Kilian Academy provides instruction in Karate, Kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
BJJ practitioners from Kilian Academy will be representing the community in the upcoming Hanami Gi Challenge, which will take place at the Indoor Speedball Club.
The tournament promises to be the largest of its kind within Southern Africa, seeing participants from as far as Mauritius competing.
Organisers are planning on making the Hanami Challenge an annual event on the Vryheid Sport Calendar.
The event should provide a fantastic opportunity for prospective BJJ practitioners to scout the sport for future engagement.
