Sensei Wendy Wannenburg of Horizon Karate Centre recently made history as the first woman in South Africa to achieve the JKA 7th Dan belt.

The grading took place in October at the JKA headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, where she was the only woman among 35 grading candidates, of which only 12 passed.

After holding the 6th Dan since 2012, Wannenburg said this achievement culminates her 40 years of discipline, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the art.

“To grade for 7th Dan, you must be at least 50 years old and hold 6th Dan for a minimum of seven years,” she explained. “This senior grade is not only earned through a physical grading but is also awarded based on a stringent criterion, including extensive and deep understanding of the sport and significant involvement in its development.”

She started training in karate in 1985 in Johannesburg under Sensei Johan Roets. She has never looked back or wanted a break from it, and it has since become a part of who she is.

“I cannot imagine my life without it.”

She has many prestigious accolades, including representing SA JKA as a referee at JKA World Champs, being an assistant coach at JKA Shoto Cup, and being involved in national coaching since 2009. In 2001, she opened Horizon Karate Centre with only seven students and describes this moment as a dream come true.

“I worked hard to get to the point of having my own dojo, and I continue to take my teaching responsibility very seriously. Having a positive influence on people is the most rewarding job in the world,” she said.

Regarding being in a male-dominated martial art, Wendy says she has never faced resistance as a senior karateka. Instead, she has earned respect from her peers. “I either don’t notice the challenges, or I’ve earned my peers’ respect because I get on with the business of training and living my passion for karate,” she said.

“I very much doubt I would have been selected as the SA JKA General Manager if being a woman was an issue.”

Going forward, Wannenburg hopes that karate can remain traditional and true to the way of the warrior.

“Karate is a magnificent art. It requires a good foundation, strong roots, disciplined and dedicated training – this will never change. It is a lifelong journey, and the benefits are many,” she concluded.

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