Physical, mental focus is key, says Peter
Karate instructor, shodan Peter Malatji from Polokwane believes karate requires both physical and mental focus and that the training process builds a connection between mind and body, making students more self-aware.
POLOKWANE – Peter has been in the industry for 29 years and his last grading in kyokushin was in June 2018 in Cape Town.
“I began karate in 1991 at the Shihon Karate Dojo which was headed by sensei Esrom Mogano. I did not know then what style I was training, but I loved the training regardless. I fell in love with it and never looked back,” he said.
Peter told BONUS that he was part of sensei Reuben Makhura’s dojos which spanned across Phalaborwa, Ga-Mohlaba, Mokomene, Sekgakgapeng, Seshego, Mmotong and Moletjie.
He attended local and national tournaments such as the Young Lions and SA Championships throughout his years of training and took first position in the veteran’s division at the 2018 SA Championships in Cape Town.
“My passion for karate encouraged me to operate my own dojo and that is what I did. I opened two dojo’s (one in Seshego and one in Polokwane) with sempai Tom Sekhale in 2017.
“The clubs are affiliated with Kyokushin-kan South Africa,” he added.
Both clubs have a combined total of 50 students, girls and boys, with ages ranging from six to 15 years of age.
“I have been lucky enough to be mentored by sempai’s Tom, Vusi Manana and Bongani Mtshweni. I also had the opportunity to lead students who are personal instructors and yoga instructor at local gyms, who fought at the Oyama Cup in Cape Town in 2017,” he added.
Peter and Tom’s dojos cater for mostly children from Seshego and Polokwane and have existed for more than two years.
“We have had the pleasure of training with shihan Kenny Uytenborgaardt from Cape Town and shihan Prince Gomede on two separate occasions. “Karate teaches you physical and mental fitness, respect, self-confidence and self-defence.
“Training with other people in a class makes one a team player and it gives you an opportunity to meet new people, so it is a good sport to also interact and be social,” he advised.
