Tag: #seminar

2025 Instructors Seminar and Gala Dinner ~ Gi’s, Glitz and Glamour ~

25 Jan
Lindie Jenkins 0 Comment Archived, Latest News , , , ,

An annual institution, the WSKF-SA Instructors Seminar and Black Belt Gala Dinner, took place during the weekend of 24 January 2025. Be My Guest Hotel and Conference Venue played host to the event, where karateka from across South Africa gathered to learn, train, and rub shoulders with like-minded martial artists. The venue was bursting at its seams in testimony to the substantial growth the organisation experiences.

Traditionally, Friday night is Kata Night: attendees were treated to the expertise and wealth of knowledge of Mike Dukas Shihan (8th Dan) as elements of Heian katas were highlighted. The Instructors Seminar aims, amongst various other things, to set the tone for the technical content of WSKF-SA dojos for the year ahead. As such, attention is given to the way in which techniques, rhythm and timing in kata should be taught across the organisation. This year, two advanced katas, Gojushiho Dai and Gankaku, took centre stage. Stephan Steyn Sensei (5th Dan, Steyn Dojo, Potchefstroom) shared his impressions of the kata Gojushiho Dai, while Mike Shihan expounded on the intricacies of Gankaku.

 

 

Saturday brought an even larger group of karateka together for a day filled with karate and camaraderie.

Following on from the 2024 directive of the Saiko Shihankai, all karateka who wish to attempt Dan grading, had to present themselves at the Instructors Seminar as a public declaration of their intention. Senior instructors were hereby alerted to these students’ intent to grade and would continue to track these students’ performance and progress and provide strategic feedback in the students’ preparation process. Although this bold move, to step in under the magnifying glass, left a number of students a little ashen-faced, they are commended for their bravery! It is said that “a goal without a date is just a dream” (Milton H. Erickson) – for these karateka the goal is now very real and only 8 short months away…

 

 

Training focused largely on Jiyu Ippon Kumite. The vast syllabus requires far more time than what a single day’s sessions can offer.

 

 

 

Yet, even just scratching the surface of this material was beneficial for all karateka who are new to the organisation and everyone else who needed mental refreshers of the complexities of this type of sparring.

Several break-away sessions offered karateka of similar grade levels an opportunity to practice aspects of their next grading syllabi under the watchful eyes of senior karateka who are au feit with the changes in the syllabi.

 

 

Responsibility for the logistical arrangements during the Instructors Seminar fell to John van der Sandt Sensei (3rd Dan) and his team of volunteers from Kuro-Obi dojo (Vanderbijlpark) – they did an excellent job!

When training concluded, the AGM was held to address relevant matters for the 2025 calendar year. And then came the time to exchange gi’s for the glitz and glamour of the Gala Dinner…

In the low glow of the early evening light, beautiful ladies in dazzling evening garb, and dapper gentlemen in formal attire arrived to celebrate another successful year for WSKF-SA.

Karateka who have achieved at least their first black belt (Sho Dan) and higher ranks are invited to attend the annual Gala Dinner with their partners. What was a functional karate dojo during the day, in a mere few hours was masterfully transformed into a Japanese-themed night-time wonderland. Full credit belongs to Mrs. Lynette Pretorius and her amazing team of volunteers from the WSKF Karate Vaal dojo (Vereeniging) for the magical metamorphosis.

Dinner guests enjoyed an evening of great food and wine, engaging company and joyful celebration as the organisation reflected on all that had transpired in the preceding year. New dojos were welcomed into the cadre of WSKF, with the hope that they would embrace the ethos of WSKF and truly become part of the family!

A much-anticipated highlight of the evening is always the Awards Ceremony where those who have successfully graded, receive their Japanese certificates. This year (2024) Dan grades were awarded in each of the levels Shodan (1st Dan), Nidan (2nd Dan), Sandan (3rd Dan), Yondan (4th Dan), Godan (5th Dan) and Rokudan (6th Dan) – yet another testimony to the growth in the organisation. [A full photo gallery can be viewed on the Karate in Focus Facebook page].

The coveted “Best Administration” trophy was awarded to Kuro-Obi dojo for their exemplary attention to detail, their prompt and thorough compliance with the Saiko Shihankai’ s requests and the general good business practices they employ in the running of their dojo. Rightfully, the credit was given to the administrative brilliance of Celeste van der Sandt, who is tasked with this responsibility in the dojo.

 

2025 promises to be an eventful year for WSKF-SA: the line-up of events includes a National Team Challenge (inter-dojo competition), a Dukas-family visit to Japan, and a South Africa Team tour to Japan for the WSKF World Championships in Tokyo.

As the weekend concluded and everyone returned home to step forward into 2025, the call rang out across all of WSKF-SA:

“Onwards and Upwards – Opportunity awaits!”

Photo credits:
WSKF-SA expresses sincere thanks to Mari Laufs of ProPixel8 and to Cobus Nienaber Sensei of Photo Excellence for their selfless and tireless photographic services at the Instructors Seminar and Black Belt Gala Dinner, respectively.

WSKF National Instructors Seminar – 2023

31 Jan
Otto Rogowski 0 Comment Archived , , , , ,

     

The World Shotokan Karate Federation South Africa’s Branch recently held its Annual Instructor Seminar at the Be My Guest Hotel in VaalPark, South Africa. This event was a great success, with over 70 aspiring instructors and instructors from all around the country coming together to learn more about this martial art.

   

The seminar began with an introduction by Sensei Mike Dukas, who is one of the most respected Shotokan karate masters in South Africa. He spoke about how important it is for practitioners to have a proper technique when performing katas (forms) or kumite (sparing) He also shared his passion for teaching others how to use their bodies efficiently while still having fun doing so!

     

The sessions included both physical exercises designed to improve strength/endurance/flexibility/balance as well as traditional forms that help build mental focus & discipline; all of which are essential components for a successful practitioner regardless if you’re just starting out or already have some experience under your belt!

     

After lunchtime lectures were given by various guest speakers including Sensei’s Stephan Steyn (Potchefstroom WSKF), Andrio Lombaard (Vanderbijlpark WSKF )

     

By the end day, everyone seemed very pleased overall results achieved especially since many attendees came away feeling much more confident in their skills than when they first arrived morning session started off! As always, we’d like to thank everyone involved in making this year’s Annual Kata Instructor Seminar possible – without your hard work and dedication, none of us would’ve been able to enjoy ourselves nearly much! We look forward to seeing you again next year same place same time 🙂

Berg Gasshuku – 2016

04 May
Otto Rogowski 0 Comment Archived , ,

WSKF SA hosted the senior Gasshuku in April. The beautiful Injisuthi in the Central Drakensberg was the chosen venue.

Most students stayed in the self-catering chalets, with the more adventurous students deciding to camp out at the adjacent campsite.

The Gasshuku was well supported by students from the various WSKF dojos around Gauteng.
The training started on Saturday morning with a vigorous 5.5km hike through the Drakensberg mountains to the dojo. This is one of the most beautiful natural dojos nested between the mountains and alongside a flowing river!

 

All students were very excited to have the first training session presented by the well missed Bryan Dukas Sensei. The session was tough with a strong focus on Kihon, improving leg strength and repetition. Bryan Dukas Sensei high level of enthusiasm and spirit set the tone for the remaining training sessions.
John Rust Sensei presented the next session with his usual dynamic view on kumite training. Students trained in pairs and focused on improving their target and reaction time. The importance of correct distance was emphasized during kumite.

A fundamental session focusing on correct hip rotation and application was presented by Mike Dukas Sensei. A good portion of this session was focused on correcting the basics and ensuring a good understanding of correct hip technique. The session was concluded with yoko geri-keage (side snap kick) training focusing on correct hip action and timing.
Marius Jordaan Sensei taught a hard session on basic kumite combinations and re-emphasized the technical points presented in the earlier sessions. Students had to maintain strong techniques through repetition.
The training was concluded with the final session presented by Bryan Dukas Sensei. Students stepped into the river for the final special session of hara (lower abdomen) training and then applying these principles to the kata Tekki Shodan.

The tired group then took on the 5.5km hike back to the campsite. A pit stop for a quick swim in the river was welcomed to relieve the sore muscles.
Saturday evening was reserved for some much needed socializing with everyone enjoying good company and conversation around the braai place.
A nunchakus session was presented by Marius Jordaan Sensei on Sunday morning. The basic principles were taught, followed by more complex combinations. The class concluded with a very interesting nunchaku kata.

It was interesting to see the consistency between all the sessions presented by the Shihankai with the general Gasshuku theme focusing on effective Kihon through repetition. Correct Kihon could then be applied in both kumite and kata.

Students departed on Sunday morning, leaving with happy hips and high spirits!