POLOKWANE – Eksteen’s Fighting Crow Karate International celebrates its 25th year anniversary of martial arts excellence, providing to members excellent training at the organisation’s headquarters in Polokwane.

Opening its doors in 1999 with only a handful of members, today the organisation has over 80 members between the ages of four and 61, and the number is still growing.

Founded by grandmaster, owner and world president Henri Eksteen, the organisation is one of the highest-ranking martial arts legitimate instructors with global recognition. The bearer of an eighth degree black belt in karate was awarded to the club by the World Karate Sporting affiliate in 2014.

Eksteen currently holds a 10th degree black belt, the highest a practitioner can achieve in this lifetime as well as the title of soke, referring to the sole founder of a global martial arts system.

“My technique of ‘my way or the highway’ during the lessons has proven to be the secret ingredient that has worked throughout the last 25 years,” he told Polokwane Observer.

Eksteen has also served in the SA Defence Force in the 1980s and was awarded SA military karate defence force colours in 1984.

“These traditional methods have undoubtedly proven to be the ultimate key to the organisation’s success. Ultimate discipline and most strict etiquette have been at the forefront of the organisation’s rules and regulations, which in a positive way groomed many young and older members in order to live a better and more productive lifestyle in the real world.”

Eksteen is an internationally multi-hall of fame recipient awarded globally for his untiring devotion to martial arts.

He added that he has spent his life teaching less advantaged children and underprivileged people in South Africa, with many of his members receiving national and even international recognition.

“The list is endless and the organisation still goes from strength to strength each and every year,” he concluded.