Catherine welcomes fifth dan in karate

She completed a week of intensive training called Gashuku, with 10th dan world Tenshikan master chief instructor Kancho Mamoru Miwa from Japan, while he was in South Africa in July.

Tenshinkan employs karate with a combination of Aikido, ju-jitsu and weapons.

She was awarded the title Shihan-Da on achieving her fifth dan.

“Karate has been part of my life for 22 years,” says Venter, who is also the chairman of the parents committee of the Tenshinkan Karate Federation South Africa.

She has travelled to various countries including Japan, United States of America, Denmark and Sweden, to compete and further her karate.”I also teach karate to juniors and give self-defence classes to women,” she says.

She always had a passion for karate but only started her karate career at the age of 26 years.

The sport requires discipline and commitment, which she likes.

Another advantage of taking karate is flexibility, fitness and staying focused.

“It is an intense sport and is hard work,” says Venter.

She says it is a wonderful to experience when a child gets into the habit of getting a stance or a punch right.

“To bending one or both knees to perfect a stance or punch you have to be fit, focused and flexible.”

She teaches children from as young as four years as well as students over 60 years of age.

“It only gets better,” she says.

She recommends this sport to all interested because she claims size does not matter.

“The bonus is you can defend yourself and can carry on with karate for the rest of your life,” she says.