Roodepoort Karate Centre holds outdoor gasshuku

Concrete character is carved gradually by sharp obstacles and the chisels of educated guidance.

Roodepoort Karate Centre held their annual gasshuku on the nippy slopes of the Kloofendal Amphitheatre, 5 June. The Japanese term for training camp, the gasshuku is used as a way for karateka of differing belts to train as a collective and in greater numbers as regulations relating to the ongoing coronavirus scare limit the number of children in the dojo.

Situated on Ouklip Road, the dojo reopened with a rule stating that no over 60s were allowed inside. The head of the established centre, 8th Dan Sensei Johan Roets, recently celebrated his 90th birthday posing an interesting conundrum but senior black belts, including Steven du Plessis, Jacques van Niekerk, Brendon Box and Montshe Bodibe have stepped up to ensure the dojo remained open.

Adapting well to the restrictions, they have used video training demonstrations and the rudimentary yet innovative use of broom sticks to correct form and technique. Karate is all about the intensity and execution of the kata performed by the karateka, and seeing this in action is vital. “For some white belts, they have not yet experienced hand to hand kumite because of the Covid regulations. When they get to see the black belts demonstrate their eyes light up,” explains Steven.

First and foremost a self-defence martial art, karate also helps to instill manners and respect through the hierarchical ranks within the dojo. “It is very important for discipline. You learn not to be influenced by external factors,” says veteran black belt, Montshe. Intricate yet direct, the skills aim to impart maximum efficiency, as Jacques explains, “It is about one punch, just one blow to end the fight”.

Not only did the young multi-colour belts march up and down the amphitheater, punishment push-ups were handed out to the sloppiest displays. Although serious with the Japanese mantra, the day was primarily a social event that was wrapped up in South African style with a braai and boerewors rolls. Training must be repetitive so that the response of being an upstanding human being can be automatic.