Steyn Dojo shows strength of family with four wins at national team event

The local Steyn Dojo showcased their karate skills and most importantly teamwork when they picked up four superb wins at the World Shotokan Karate-do Federation (WSKF) Team Event competition on Saturday, 13 May in Bloemfontein.

The event featured Kata and Kumite competitions where karateka from various age groups were placed in teams. Steyn Dojo managed to win the Kiddies Unison Kata, Intermediate Unison Kata, Advanced Unison Kata and Female Team Kumite. Sensei Stephan Steyn and his wife, Sensei Zilla Steyn base the core value of their Steyn Dojo on Kazoku, which translates to family in Japanese.

“Here at our Dojo we focus on creating a family atmosphere where everyone is welcome no matter your skill level, experience or age. During the competition we had karateka of various age groups from 8-10 up to over 21 competing in the same team which created an interesting dynamic. The young ones looked up to the seniors, who motivated and inspired the juniors,” stated Sensei Stephan.

The focus at Steyn Dojo is on teaching life skills through karate whilst focusing on the cornerstones of Shotokan Karate which are character, self-control, etiquette, effort and sincerity.

“We have grown immensely in these past couple of years. There is a lot of interest in karate,” added Sensei Stephan.

Sensei Zilla was also at the competition as a trainer as well as a referee. She was also the only female referee in the men’s kumite final.

Here is a list of participants from Steyn Dojo:

Paul Visagie, Ulrich Geldenhuys, Jonathan Deacon, Murray Deacon, Donovan Dreyer, Janco Myburgh, Victor Prinsloo, Edgar Julyan, Simeon van Vreden, Anru Brits, Crowley Strauss, Jano Nel, Henrico Heystek, Neal Prinsloo, Franco Mey, Leonard Bezuidenhout, Erika Prinsloo, Helen Prinsloo, Berdine Blume, Coenraad Bezuidenhout, Janco Coetzee, Lukas van Vreden, Dilon Dreyer, Liam Craven, Tiaan Botha, Ruan Blume, Wiehan Jonker, Jaco Visagie, Elke Human, Stephan Steyn, Zilla Steyn.

Steyn Dojo is located at the Reformed Church in Hennie Bingle Street. For more information contact Stephan Steyn at 072 176 6624.