Commitment impresses Sixth Dan
Sixth dan black belt and Centurion sensei, Carel van der Westhuizen mentored the karateka during the programme, and was accompanied by karateka from Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
Newcastle was the centre of attention last weekend for Butokukan Shorinyu Okinawan karate fans and disciples as it played host to a national Gasshuko programme.
The Gasshuko programme allowed senior black and brown belt students to meet and work on their kata and form together.
Sixth dan black belt and Centurion sensei, Carel van der Westhuizen mentored the karateka during the programme, and was accompanied by karateka from Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
“The standard of karate from the Newcastle students is excellent. They are professional karate practitioners. Their dedication and progress is excellent,” he enthused.
With more than 30 years of experience, sensei Carel encouraged locals to join a karate club as the benefits of practising karate were manifold.
“In Okinawa you will hardly ever see a modern day gym. Everyone who lives there practises karate at some point of their life and still do to stay fit.”
He believed that many people would be hard pressed to find a sport like karate; a sport that not only developed your body and mind, but also prepared a person to face off any physical attack.
“Sensei Frik Willemse is brilliant, both as a karate practitioner and a teacher. The people should be taking advantage of this offer he is giving them to learn karate,” he concluded.
