Primose karate champ excels in Japan

Primrose Hill resident Alan Lambrechs was recently crowned a winner at the KWF Karatenomichi 10th World Cup in the veteran senior category in Japan.

The 67-year-old won the gold medal for kumite and a silver medal for kata.

He was also awarded his 8th dan ranking.

“I have been to Japan three times this year for training and to prepare myself.

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“For a competition like this one, your concentration needs to be 100% as you cannot be distracted. Your focus, timing and speed need to be aligned,” he explained.

He said he still gets butterflies even after so many years.

“Before you start you get a bit anxious and nervous. But knowing your work is an advantage to overcoming your nerves and the moment I step on the mat to perform I go into a different zone.”

He trained five times a week.

His journey with karate started in 1976 at the Germiston Karate Centre when he went to watch his brother participate in a belt grading session.

He has since participated in various competitions and championships and has been crowned a South African champion several times.

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For 41 years he was part of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) before joining the KWF Karatenomichi, where he has been an active member for nearly six years. He is also affiliated with KWF SA.

Lambrechs has been sharing his knowledge and skills as a martial arts teacher at Reddam House BCC and the main campus since 2018.

He also runs the adult’s night class as well.

“Whatever I do I do it together with my wife as a team.

“She is a big part of our dojo and my life. Karate is a way of life, it isn’t about winning a medal and saying that you are a champion. It is about improving yourself as a person in every sphere. It is about being a good and kind to people.”

He is a qualified international A-class instructor, referee, examiner and judge.

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He is advocating for the development of karate as he believes it can build one’s self-confidence, good for health and well-being, concentration, focus and speed training.

“Karate teaches discipline which is lacking in society today also self-control. It gives you something to strive towards,” he shared.

His vision is to be a senior elite instructor at the Japan headquarters.

His message to all aspiring martial artists is one of persistence and discipline: “When you start something, never give up.”