The Benoni Dojo recently held its annual prize-giving at the premises in Northmead where Sportsman of the Year 2019 was awarded to Seth Dickson.
Seth (11) started karate at The Dojo in Benoni at the age of five and is a member of New World Shotokan karate (NWS).
NWS is a South African concept driven by four senior instructors, all with long karate careers and who are pedigrees in the Japan Karate Association (JKA), as well as other fine Shotokan organisations.
Seth took part in the Dojo’s annual regional championships in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, winning a gold in kata and a bronze in kumite.
He also participated in their annual Graskop gashuku in Graskop, Mpumalanga, before departing for Franschoek where he took part in the Dojo’s annual national championships and won a gold medal in kumite.
Lastly, the youngster also took part in the Dojo’s annual vasbyt/perserverance gashuku, which is a week of training (17 hours) where they prepare the brown belts for their future black belt gradings.
Seth is now also assisting with teaching the beginners.
“Seth is a young brown belt who is a brilliant karateka and excels at every training,” said sensei John Barnett.
“He is very dedicated to his training and is very hard on himself to succeed,” said sensei Janien Potgieter.
ALSO READ:
Schaper wins prestigious trophy
These were the other awards handed out at the Benoni Dojo prize-giving:
• Nicole Potgieter: Most technical karateka of the year (white to green belt)
• Chloe Jackson: Most technical karateka of the year (blue to brown belt).
• Lyla Howard: Most dedicated karateka of the year and runner-up in outstanding karateka of the year (white to yellow belt).
• Nell Potgieter: Most outstanding karateka of the year (orange to green belt).
• Else Moolman: Most outstanding karateka of the year (white to yellow belt).
• Kaelab Staley: Most improved karate of the year and runner-up in outstanding karateka of the year (orange to green belt).
• Good attendance awards: Gustav du Plessis, Gabriella Lotter, Cayen Naidoo, Durjay Poorun, Maddison Bielovich, Dana Jackon, Keagan Stewart and James Treacher.
• Zelmarie du Plessis: Most improved karateka of the year.
• Hannah Dickson: Most outstanding karateka of the year (blue to brown belt).
• Alva Shortt: Most Budo spirited karateka of the year (black belt).
• Nathan Moolman: Most Budo spirited karateka of the year (white to brown belt).
The Benoni Dojo is headed up by sensei Janien Potgieter (6th Dan) senior instructor and Dojo head sensei John Barnett (8th Dan) and regional chief instructor and sensei Dean Schmidt (graded to Sandan and instructor to the junior class).
