Newsletter - December 2006

DECEMBER 2006

Wow!! What a year this has been in the history of our Clubs – one great achievement on top the other!!!

Michael Dukas Sensei
7th Dan

The biggest news this year was of course that Sensei Mike achieved his 7th Dan Grading. He traveled to Japan to grade under the watchful eyes of the top Japanese Instructors.

He was awarded his 7th Dan following an exam and approval by Yahara, Isaka and Ibusuki Senseis on 17 June 2006.

At the same time he was also elected to be on the
Saiko Shihan (Masters Technical Panel.)

This truly is a great honour to be given to any Westerner. I think we can all feel justifiably proud of his achievement!


	Sensei Bryan did us all proud when became the Grand Champion at the KWF S.A. Karate Championships – winning gold medals in both the Kata and Kumite events. He also became the top senior male Kata participant in S.A. when he won the gold medal for Kata in the S.A. All Styles Championships held in Port Elizabeth. On the strength of this achievement, he was selected to represent South Africa at the All Styles World Championships held in Finland. He was the only male selected to represent S.A. in Kata at this event. What an awesome achievement!! Let’s see if we can get more members to achieve Protea Colours in the coming year!


	So many of our members took part in the S.A. Champs and excelled. Congratulations to each and every one of you. We feel proud not only of your achievements but also for the way in which you conduct yourselves at the various events and the karate etiquette you display – this makes you a true karateka.

Congratulations to John Freeman on achieving his Shodan Grading – welcome to the world of the “Black Belts”

Prize Giving for 2006

This event will only be held on 28th January 2007 due to the fact that so many of our members are writing exams or leave for holiday at this time of the year. The Prize Giving will be held at the University Lapa again – and of course we will once again invite you all to attend.

Please spend the day with us so we can braai and socialize together for a while. We hope this will be a good way to start the new year.

Dojo closing

Both dojos will be closing on 7th December 2006 and will reopen on 15th January 2007. We hope you will all enjoy the break – but please remember to keep stretching!!!!

Please bring all outstanding fees up to date before we close.

· Vereeniging new dojo is one year old this year and has grown very quickly into a formidable club with lots and lots of really super members – may it go from strength to strength.

Thank You

A very big Thank You to all the instructors for the dedication and hard work that went into all the training sessions this year – without your help we would not be the success we are – you are all stars.

Sensei Mike and Marion, Sensei Bryan and Anita take this opportunity of wishing you all a very Blessed Christmas and may all your dreams come true in 2007.

We look forward to another very eventful year in 2007.


	Elandi Van Niekerk and Jeanne Marais both represented Gauteng South Province at the S.A. Women's’ Cup championships. Jeanne achieved 2nd place in Kata (youth division) and Elandi 1st place Kata (youth division) and 3rd place in Kumite (Open division). Our two girls then went to Zimbabwe to represent S.A. at the Zone 6 Championships and of course (as we know them) they achieved again!. Jeanne 1st place in Kumite and 3rd place in Kata, Elandi 1st place in Kata. They were awarded national KSA colours for this event. Congratulations to both girls on this wonderful achievement.


	Richard Houston-McMillan and Nicolaas Badenhorst Our boys didn’t let us down either – Reuben Cross, Richard Houston-McMillan and Nicolaas Badenhorst brought back the gold medal for Unison Kata at the S.A. All Styles Championships (in the youth division) – this team is becoming a real force. Reuben Cross


	Walker, had a great year – he won silver for Kumite at the KWF S.A. Championships. He was selected for the VUT team to participate in the SKIF championships in Japan where he managed to get through 3 rounds – we are proud of you!


	Japan Tour The tour is on!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tour planned for March 2007 – many of our members will be going to Japan to train with the top Japanese Instructors and also to take part in the World KWF Championships – not to forget also to do some great sightseeing and also to visit Hong Kong on the way home. Please let us know if you would like to go.


	Golf Day a great success! We take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed in any way to the great success of the Vaal Triangle Shotokan Golf Day. We assure you that the money collected will be most appreciated by Sensei Mike when he leaves for his trip to Japan more ...

Pieter in Japan

Michael Dukas Sensei and Pieter van Wyk Sempai pictured together in Tokyo. Pieter is currently living in Tokyo and attends classes at the Honbu - Dojo.

Yahara Sensei correcting Pieter's stance

Black Belt Dinner

This event will once again take place in March 2007. We will let all black belts know the details at a later date.

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