Karate family: Kuro Obi students shine
It's all about discipline, dedication, perseverance and hard work.
VANDERBIJLPARK. – You will find them most Saturday afternoons at the karate club, a small group of dedicated karateka under the watchful eye of Tatjana RadojevicRogowski Sensei.
Officially they are all Kuro Obi, Sasolburg, FS High Performance students, but they have become like a family. Among the group, there are five with Protea colours.
They are Tanja Pienaar (1998) – Kumite Coach, Lebohang Motshweneng (2015), Declan Gerber (2022), Dylan Pienaar (2023) and Sasha Rogowski (2024).
All have a long list of exceptional achievements under their belt. They have been training together since 2019.
Tatjana is passionate about karate and her students. “My students are the epitaph of one’s teachings, attitude, and conduct.
“I am proud of their achievements, but have a lot of respect for their discipline, perseverance, dedication, and positive behaviour, be it on the dojo floor, at tournaments, or in their private or social environments.”
She started her karate training in January 2000 under Sensei Mike Dukas and has trained with various Japanese instructors in Japan, and some renowned karate professionals and instructors in South Africa.
Last year Tatjana was graded to Godan, a 5th Degree Black Belt, in Yokohama, Japan under the World Shotokan Karate Federation (WSKF) Chief Instructor, Hitoshi Kasuya.
Tatjana prefers to talk about her students’ achievements. Four Kuro Obi, Sasolburg, FS High Performance students achieved medals at the national Sunfest Tournament hosted by Karate South Africa.
Declan Gerber won double gold for u/21 and Seniors Male Kata, and achieved silver for Senior Male Team Kata. Dylan Pienaar got double silver for Senior Male Team Kata and 16/17 years Junior Male Kumite, and achieved bronze for 16/17 years Junior Male Kata.
Sasha Rogowski got silver for u21 Female Kata and Duncan Rogowski got silver for Senior Male Team Kata. The group has several tournaments coming up.
Sasha Rogowski will be competing in June 2024 on behalf of South Africa in Namibia in the u/21 Female Kata division.
Thereafter, some of the Kuro Obi, Sasolburg FS High Performance students will be taking part in the national open tournament, hosted by Karate South Africa (KSA) in Durban, KZN. We wish them well.
