Master Nominee JP heads to States for an inauguration ceremony
"For so many years this level was untouchable for South Africans. With their hard work and dedication, they are breaking down the barriers and paving the way for the rest of the Taekwondo generation here in South Africa,"
SECUNDA – Years of hard work and dedication have paid off for Victory Taekwondo’s Master Nominee JP Vorster, who will be heading to Arkansas in the United States on November 2, for the inauguration of his Mastership that will take place on November 5.
JP was nominated as Master Nominee in November of 2021 and would take a year process to get to the final inauguration.
The year would consist of training and assignments.
“It has been quite a journey and tiring days to get to this point. I train consistently, two hours every day non-stop,” said JP.
Requiring the rank of sixth-degree black belt, which JP has, one can apply for a Mastership, however, the nomination can only be done through an existing Master.
JP and Master Nominee Rohan Verwey (formally of Secunda) are the first two and only South Africans to achieve such a nominee.
“This year is 26 years since I began my Taekwondo journey. To be one of the first makes it the wow factor for me.
“It makes me proud to know that I have been working hard for all these years and dedicating my time for 26 years to be able to achieve this,” said JP.
JP’s wife, Erika Vorster, said this achievement was unimaginable, especially for a South African.
“For so many years this level was untouchable for South Africans. With their hard work and dedication, they are breaking down the barriers and paving the way for the rest of the Taekwondo generation here in South Africa,” said Erika who is a fourth-degree black belt.
JP has begun his path towards a seventh-degree black belt. It could take up to seven years to get to this rank. There are nine degrees in the black belt. A Master is awarded white masters silk attire.
This will also be the first time that spectators will get to be present at the inauguration. The inauguration is normally done with only the Masters panel.
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Erika and Master Nominee Verwey’s parents will get to see the ceremony and witness his inauguration.
“Having been beside JP through this journey, he really deserves this. He has never backed down and never not given 110 per cent. He gets to live all our dreams. To see this happen to one of our own is emotional and liberating,” said Erika.
JP said there is no stopping. “It is easy to stop at first-degree black belt, but once you reach your second-degree black belt, you just want to keep on going,” said JP.
When interviewed by the Ridge Times, JP and Erika had just returned from a grueling three-day SA National Championships held in Bloemfontein from October 6 to 9.
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Day one was a sparing seminar by Master Jesse Isaacs from the USA, with day two consisting of sparing training for juniors and seniors and a basic seminar.
The tournament kicked off on a Friday afternoon with all extreme divisions.
The Tournament of Champions was held on Saturday, October 8, where top students in South Africa, in all divisions, competed against each other to be crowned the national champion.
The first tournament for 2023 was played on Sunday, October 9.
