NKZN JKA hosts year end training and grading ceremony
Once a year, all 9 JKA dojos affiliated with NKZN come to Newcastle to attend the region's end-of-year training, grading, and prize-giving.
The 2024 JKA year was jam-packed with JKA karate events and competitions.
This started with the annual SA JKA Standardisation Seminar, the NKZN JKA Provincial Championships, the SA JKA National Championships, and National Team selection for the JKA World Championships; Okuma Sensei training and grading; NKZN Regional Black Belt gradings; the Gichin Funakoshi Cup; and the Sub-Sahara Africa Gasshuku, as well as NKZN JKA term gradings in between, all culminating with the Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal (NKZN) Japan Karate Association (JKA) karate region hosting their end-year training and grading on 30 November 2024.
Once a year, all 9 JKA dojos affiliated with NKZN come to Newcastle to attend the region’s end-of-year training, grading, and prize-giving.
The day’s program started with registration from 08h00 to 09h00, followed by the black belt training.
Colour belts took to the floor from 10:30 to 11:30 with a break for lunch, and the term grading started at 12:00 pm.
Despite a late start to the day due to a sudden and unforeseen venue change and impromptu shuffle to the day’s program, the grading was completed only fifteen minutes later than first anticipated, which meant that the allotted time given to the start of the prize-giving remained unchanged.
This year’s theme for the end-year function and prize-giving was “funky shirts,” which served as topics of conversation and amusement for all.
Among the prizes awarded to individuals for their performance in karate at their respective dojos, prizes were also awarded for “Best Sensei” and “Ladies’ and Men’s Kumite Champion” from within the NKZN JKA region.
Area Head and 5th Dan JKA Sensei, Johan Swart, stated, “I am proud of what we have achieved in this year and am especially thankful for the support of the parents and the black belts in NKZN, who are always willing to help and do what is necessary to achieve the ultimate goal with a successful result. We at NKZN JKA wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.”
For any information regarding classes and fees, please contact Sensei Johan Swart at 083 658 7157.
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