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JKA S.A. Karate Union events and student achievements 1999
The Millennium ended with 7th Dan Malcolm Dorfman, the members of his Parktown North and Sandton Dojos and the members of his JKA South Africa Karate Union not only able to look back on the successes of 1999 with tremendous satisfaction, but also able to reflect on their vast effect and constructive influence on the development of karate in South Africa for the past three decades.
The successes in 1999 were a typical example of the past years, where achievements were not confined merely to the attainment of medals in competition, but to achievement in the sphere of development of the previously disadvantaged karateka and the sphere of true essence of the martial art spirit.
Shane Dorfman’s achievement in becoming the youngest ever 5th Dan in the world at the age of 24, at an examination held by JKA Japan in October, outweighed his outstanding tournament results where he became not only JKA South Africa Senior Grand Champion for the seventh year in succession, but also South African All- styles Grand Champion for the sixth time in seven years, feats no other South African karateka have emulated.
In the sphere of international grading, the number two in the JKA S.A. Karate Union, Mike Dukas attained the level of 6th Dan and Mike Roetz and Ngoako Maphala the level of 5th Dan, all in examinations held by JKA Japan. The significance of Maphala’s grading is that he became the first black karate instructor to go into the mecca of Japanese karate and attain this high level - a milestone in the development of the previously disadvantaged.
Following up on his JKA junior world title in 1998 and previous junior world titles over the past 7 years, 15 year old Saville Dorfman added his fifth world title to his list, that of the JKA World Millennium Cup held in Gifu, Japan. In addition, he claimed the JKA S.A. Junior Grand champion title and S.A. All-styles Junior title, both for the seventh year in succession as well as the Africa Zone-6 Junior Grand Champion title.
Saville was accompanied to Gifu by Ryan Fransman, JKA S.A. Under 12 Grand Champion, who placed 4th in the World Millennium Cup in Under 12 Kata.
The JKA S.A. Senior Unison Kata team of Mike Roetz, Tyrone Theodorides and Bryan Dukas took the South African All-styles team title and as the official Protea team, they took the silver medal in the All-Africa Games. Not to be outdone, the JKA S.A. Junior Unison Kata team and official junior Protea team of Saville Dorfman, Chris Cruywagen and Tristan Rouillard took the Africa Zone-6 Under 16 team title. The JKA S.A. Cadet Unison Kata team of Dino Covotsos, Warran Dukas and Nicola Galic took the title in the S.A. All-styles under 18 Championship and as the official Cadet Protea team, also took the Africa Zone-6 Cadet title.
In the sphere of development of the previously disadvantaged karateka, besides Ngoako Maphala, other members of the JKA S.A. Karate Union made their mark in 1999. Cass Sehloho, as Vice -president of the Karate Association of S.A., contributed greatly on the administrative side, Wilfred Sebotsa continued to set the example to young aspiring black competition karateka by his achievements in the JKA National Championship and Jonathan Mohale in his 3rd Dan examination.was considered by the JKA S.A. national grading panel as having done the best grading of the year.
The invaluable contribution of Johan van Tonder and Mike Kliment in both JKA and the all-styles province to which they belong and the achievements in championships of their members must be commended, as must be the contributions made by other dojo heads and senior instructors who are the backbone of the JKA S.A. Karate Union.