Highest karate accolade ever for local instructor 

One of the city’s most gifted and spirited karate and martial arts instructors Henri Eksteen recently received his 10th Dan, the highest ranking level within a Japanese form of karate do art.
Eksteen said he was awarded this accolade by two legendary martial arts organisations abroad – International Bujutsu Society Kokusai Bujutsu Kessha in Switzerland and Wakazamurai World Martial Arts Association Kokusai Budo Renmei in Turkey. Eksteen has also been added to the Wakazamurai World Martial Arts Association Sokeship Alliance as an official board member recognised by its council committee from Greece, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States of America.
The very rare and exclusive martial arts title of Professor Soke was also awarded to Eksteen after having reached the milestone of almost 40 years of untiring devotion, dedication and commitment to the ancient arts and service.
Eksteen holds an impressive 8th Dan recognised by World Union of Karate do Organisations (Wuko) situated in Italy, a 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Dan in freestyle karate, 4th and 5th Dan in Ogasawara Ha Shorinjiryu karate do, 3rd Dan in Shotokan Kase Ha, 1st Dan in Shukokai and 1st Dan in World Amateur Kickboxing Organisation (Wako).
“What also added positively towards me receiving 10th Dan is the fact that I was nominated as an inductee into the International Martial Arts Health and Fitness Association in Germany – Freestyle Karate Grandmaster of the Year 2011; nominated as an inductee into the Masters Hall of Fame in the United States in 2012 as well as in the same year inducted into the International Martial Arts Hall of fame Times Magazine as best founder of own martial arts system,” he explained.
Last year he was accepted as an official board member for the Masters Martial Arts Association in America by its founder and President Grandmaster Ted Gambordella. “In 2015 I was also the recipient and first South African ever to receive the international sports award of the World International Martial Arts Association and Organisations by its founder and world president, Mr Nigel McClure of Dublin, Ireland,” Eksteen proudly informed.

Featured Photo: Supplied  – Local karate and martial arts instructor Henri Eksteen has once again done the city proud by being awarded his 10th Dan from the International Bujutsu Society Kokusai Bujutsu Kessha in Switzerland and Wakazamurai World Martial Arts Association Kokusai Budo Renmei in Turkey recently.

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