When senpai Zelmerie du Plessis graded to her first black belt in December, it was supposed to be a moment of exhilarating joy for the Brakpan resident.
However, it was bittersweet for the 18-year-old because of the death of her biggest supporter, her grandmother, two days before her birthday and just weeks before the grading.
“My grandmother pushed me and my brother to participate in karate. She was my biggest supporter and was there for every competition and grading,” said Du Plessis.
“She also encouraged my dad, who died when I was seven, to do karate. We wanted to continue his legacy.”
The grading week was emotional for Zelmerie, and the events over the five days still haven’t fully sunk in.
It took her to the brink of physical and mental exhaustion, but the sweat and pain were all worth it because she achieved something most people never will.
After nine tough years of hard work, perseverance, and steadily climbing the junior ranks, Du Plessis graded to shodan with three others from the NWS Benoni dojo. The quartet was initiated and presented with their belts at a ceremony on January 27.
“It was a tough journey. There were many ups and downs. Sometimes, I felt positive. On other days, I felt negative, but I pushed myself. In the end, it was all worth it.”
The karateka explained it wasn’t the love of martial arts that got her into karate. She started training to help her brother, who was being bullied at school.
“He got bullied to the point he slept under benches until the bullies left him alone. He had anger issues, and as his sister, I felt the need to defend him.
“We both joined the dojo. The bullying stopped, but we decided to continue because of the discipline and self-respect the sport teaches you,” she said.
Du Plessis said her journey in the sport only began when she graded to shodan, adding that she would like to travel to Japan and Canada to train with some world-famous senseis in those countries.
She cited sensei Janien Potgieter (yokudan) as her inspiration, saying, “Seeing sensei Janien as a working woman and still being a great karateka is inspiring. I would do anything to be like her.”
Potgieter said she is proud of Du Plessis’ achievements and is honoured to be her inspiration.
“I have pushed Zelmerie and seen her fight and grow in karate and as a young woman with goals in life. She is not a person who waits for things to happen; she gets up and gets going,” she said.
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