The Ken To Fude No Karate Ryu Dojo’s instructor, Sempai Lesego Ratala, is bursting with pride after the recent grading that took place.
The grading took place at the Fordsburg Dojo, and the karatekas that took part, were rewarded with advancement to their next belt.
• Thando Phiri received her advanced blue belt,
• Katlego Motlhabane received his yellow belt,
• André Schoeman received his brown belt,
• LeAndré Schoeman received her brown belt,
• Donovan Carstens received his brown belt, and
• Nikita Kruger received her advanced brown belt, and will be grading for her black belt in April next year.
Lesego said, “Words cannot begin to explain the pride I have for them, I feel like a proud dad. It is great to see their dedication, they are always here to train – come rain or shine. Their techniques and mannerisms have also improved by leaps and bounds, which is very heartwarming. I now feel that I deserve the title of instructor.”
Lesego told the Record that Nikita started at the dojo as a white belt, and he is very pleased to see that she is doing so well, and said, “She will be my first student from this dojo to grade for her black belt, and I am very excited about the dojo’s future.”
He added that he will be joining Nikita next year when she grades for her black belt. “I will be going for my fourth Dan black belt grading in April. If I pass, I will become a Sensei (which means honourable teacher). I am very excited to have the opportunity to grade alongside one of my students (who will be my first black belt at the club),” siad Lesego.
Lesego believes that karate is a great character-building sport, that aids in the instilling of manners and general courtesies. “We have between 20 and 25 full-time students at the dojo, and they have not only become best friends, but family. They train together, laugh together and, sometimes, cry together. And it makes me proud to say that it was inspired by karate,” he said.
Training takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Witpoortjie Recreation Centre from 6.30pm to 8pm. For more information, contact Lesego on 073 826 0088.
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