Palm Court Karate celebrate 30th anniversary with annual invitational championships
Dojo focuses on traditional karate teachings but competition is a way to sharpen necessary skills.
Even with 30 notches painstakingly etched into the belt of history, the passage of time can not weather their intensity.
Celebrating 30 years of crafting master karateka, Palm Court Karate held their annual invitational championships for the first time since 2019. Hosted at Laerskool Fontainebleau in Randburg on September 17, Sensei Mario Sequeira welcomed 240 competitors ranging from white to black belts aged five to 40. Being used to a jam-packed calendar, which would include multiple gradings, a fitness challenge and 24 hour gashuku, the championships signalled the beginning of a fresh future.
Although traditional karate is central to Sensei Mario’s teaching, he appreciates the role rivalry plays in sharpening the talents of his charges.
“Tournaments give students the opportunity to pressure test katas that they will use for gradings. We recognise the value of competition in everyday life as well as part of a karate syllabus, that is why we create a safe environment in which our students can compete,” stated the 5th Dan Sensei.
Preparations for the tournament took roughly two months on the mat and longer in term of logistics.
“As it was our first major event in almost three years we were planning for a smaller introductory tournament for our newer students but it turned into a big event,” admitted Sensei Mario, who designed a special once off medal to commemorate the 30-year anniversary.
“Many of our students who are now white to orange belts have not competed in a tournament before, so it was very exciting for them too,” he added.
Palm Court Karate’s 30th anniversary year is also the one they have taken the biggest leaps into the unknown. A new multi-level facility built on Sensei Mario’s home is kitted out with the best in Japanese-inspired equipment and aesthetics and still has the homely feel forged through a generation of work. The address may be different but the mantra is the same, as Sensei Mario said, “Being part of the dojo means being part of the family. No matter how long it has been, we always welcome our students back”.
