GEORGE KARATE NEWS - The George Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Shibu recently hosted its annual black belt dan grading. 

Fourteen candidates from Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Plettenberg Bay and George were put through a weekend of extensive training and testing in front of a special grading panel appointed by the Okinawa Kyokai under leadership of sensei Jannie le Grange. 

Despite the tremendous challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the candi-dates never gave up on their goals during this worldwide crisis and were finally awarded their Shodan (1st dan) black belt in traditional Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Do.

The grading panel appointed by the Okinawa Kyokai. From left: Rocher le Grange, Buks Smit (5th dan), Deon Nel (6th dan), Jannie le Grange (Shibu head), Angelo Prins and Betsie le Grange (6th dan). Absent: Norman Reinach (5th dan).

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