After 17 years of hard work and commitment, Shunkenkan-Ju-Jiutsu’s Christopher van der Werken has earned his first black belt. He officially became a first dan during a recent grading in Benoni, in which athletes from countries such as Mauritius and the United States also participated.
“It is a good feeling to finally reach this stage. After all these years of dedication and working through the bruises, it was all worth it. I have a passion for the martial art and without it, you will never get far,” said Christopher.
The two-day grading, which started on his birthday, kicked off with a three-hour theory test which assessed the entrants’ knowledge of weapons and various other aspects of ju-jiutsu. The following day was an assessment on every technique starting from the very beginning of the martial arts and all ten previous belts from white belt. Christopher had to execute more than 800 techniques and engage in combat to prove he has reached the level of a first dan ju-jiutsu practitioner.
“It was tiring but it’s an experience I will never forget. You are on your feet for the physical part of the test until you drop and you still continue because that belt is important,” he said.
What made the grading even more special for Christopher was that his sensei, Marcia van Niekerk, from Limpopo, who is a fifth dan, was also a judge for the grading and award ceremony.
“I will not stop here. I want to get my fifth black belt and be recognised throughout the world, but that will be a long process. The time it takes between belts is long. I’ll be eligible for my second belt in two years, for my third belt in three years and that’s how it goes,” said Christopher.
Although ju-jiutsu is his passion, Christopher wants to train in other martial arts while still keeping ju-jiutsu as his core.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
