Karate instructor earns 6th Dan

fuad Esack|Published 10 months ago

From left are Sensei Toshihidi Iwasawa, Kaicho Masahiro Kaneko, Gavin Smith and Sensei Masaki Fujii.

Mitchell’s Plain karate instructor Gavin Smith and some of his senior belt students were among 170 karateka from different provinces and countries, including Japan, who attended an International Gushuku or training camp, at the Okkie Jooste Cultural Centre, in Jonkershoek, in Stellenbosch, at the weekend.

“The highly skilled Japanese instructors took us through our paces and taught us among other many interesting techniques and fighting combinations,” said Smith, chief instructor at dojos at Woodlands and Portland community centres and in Kuils River.

The Dan exam took place on Sunday May 5 where karateka grading from 1st Dan to 6th Dan were tested by the Japanese instructors who formed part of the grading panel.

Karateka were tested on their knowledge, fighting skill, technique, strength, endurance, fitness and katas.

Smith tested for and successfully completed his 6th Dan grading.

Back row from left, are, Shihan Gavin Smith (coach), Rubin Baaitjies(second), Tyler Adams (first), Qian Phillips (second), Cayden Charles(first), Michegan Daniels (second), Alyssa Harris(third) and Ashraf Luddy (third).In front, are, Leigh Charles(second), Eli Alexander(first), Gabriel Snyders(second), Chadley Jones(first), Jaida Fisher(third), Lia Hackley(first), Rashiedah Beyers(third), Amber Damons(first).

In April, Smith’s students took part in a Kyokushin Budokan W.P Karate Tournament for juniors and adults, hosted by Shihan Hennie Bosman, in Welgemoed.

More than 100 competitors took part in the tournament with Smith’s students finishing first, second and third in their respective age and weight categories.

Training takes place at Woodlands community centre on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6pm to 7pm and at Portland community centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Call 064 101 3585 for more information.