Karateka focused on their instructions and techniques while Sensei Andrew Els guided them through various styles at Craighall Park on August 25.

“We are busy preparing for the national World Shotokan Karate-Do Federation championships, which will be held next month. I am also preparing a team of the black belts group to attend the national grading in October,” said the founder, Sensei Andrew Els.

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Els added that he hoped his team would do well in the upcoming championships after six months of preparation.

Ronald Redelinghuys, a junior black belt holder, said a poster about karate piqued his interest in martial arts.

“I didn’t always take karate seriously, but as I grew up, I became more disciplined, which shaped me as a person with effort, etiquette, and respect,” said Redelinghuys. “It has also given me power and control.”

A black belt in karate marks the transition from a beginner to an advanced student who has mastered the core foundational skills of the martial art.

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Khali-Mariette Thenga, a senior black belt holder, added that she has been doing martial arts for 10 years.

“I joined to improve my confidence and reduce my anxiety, stress, and mental health problems,” said Thenga. “I have also attended a lot of championships.”

Els highlighted that he began karate in 1984 and has been through different associations and styles of martial arts.

“My focus is on preparing children for real life self-defence using the Japanese self-defence system, karate. It also helps them with confidence and concentration; I also like to focus on the traditional karate.”

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