The training focused on all the Goju Ryu Kata in preparation for higher dan grading next year by the technical director of the Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Kyokai, sensei Masanari Kikugawa, from Yonabaru near Naha city.
Locals who will test for Rokodan (6th dan) are sensei's Betsie le Grange and Angelo Prins while Rocher le Grange and Buks Smit will attempt Godan (5th dan). Anton von Below will test for Yondan (4th dan).
During the training camp Lo-Anne Oosthuizen from Oudtshoorn received her Sandan (3rd dan) after an four hour grading test. Others from George who were in attendance were Amanda Rosser, Norman Reinach (4th dan) and Karin Fouche (3rd dan).
The annual Southern Cape Black Belt grading will take place on 5 and 6 December at the Honbu dojo in George under the leadership of sensei Jannie le Grange.
Senior instructors and students who attended the Okinawa Goju Ryu national training camp in Durbanville. Seated in front are sensei's Elias and Lilian Kattan (Honbu Instructors) flanked by the longest Goju Ryu practitioners in the organisation, sensei's Jaap Weij (since 1966) and Jannie le Grange (since 1969).
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Klein-Karoo news'
