Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Mandela Achievement Recognition
This is a great memory we have of this hero. Thank you Madiba for also recognising karate.
Monday, December 15, 2014
How my career developed
10 December 2011
Written by: Soon Pretorius
Their demonstration triggered my interest and I ventured the first training session.
The next number of years’ training was rather vague but I do remember the 5 cent coin my mother would give me for the long trek to the dojo twice a week.
The 3km journey by foot in the afternoons seemed short for the award of an ice-cream cone enjoyed afterwards.
Karate had become part of my daily routine from a young age with very little reward but the occasional grading and a new belt as incentive. I can recall a competition in Germiston where my presentation of Tekki Shodan deemed to suffice for top honours.
My karate career continued in high school under the watchful eye of Sensei Koos Burger when my parents decided to relocate to Pretoria. I enjoyed training under this gentle disciplinarian with an unquestionable set of values.
It was during my university days that I matured under Sensei Braam Peens in Potchefstroom and then Sensei Ken Woodstock from Randfontein.
In 1978 at the national karate tournament in Durban Sensei Norman Robinson invited me back to training at his dojo in Joburg.
This had been very tough training with the late Chris Hauptfleish, Bruce and Wayne Smith and Charles Bechenstrater as sparring partners.
I continued training with this maestro for many years and found the early morning drive to Joburg very relaxing.
It was more than 45 years later that my career as a student of Karate-do led to the infamous instructor’s class at the JKA Honbu dojo in Joburg.
In the early hours of Thursday mornings, nothing keeps me away from this training with little regard for seniority in years.
The training is uncompromising and rigid in many ways. The instructor (mostly Sensei Johan la Grange) would always train with the class setting a hard pace.
Content of teaching will always include kata, kumite and kihon at an advanced level. I do believe that this is karate. On a number of occasions, senior class members like Bruce Smith, Wayne Smith and Charles Bechenstrater took the morning class with an extreme competence based on personal understanding.
It is refreshing to experience such wealth of knowledge in a single class.
The skill and proficiency in our city is represented by individuals will superb technical abilities but also a softness evident in their teaching proficiency.
John Rust, Jaap Janse van Rensburg, Simone Roig, Paul Botha, Golda Gurrirab and Tererai Mafuku must be praised and complimented for their teaching flair.
Interview with Soon Pretorius
As found on www.theshotokanway.com
(Miguel Harker) Osu Sensei, I am honored to be able to ask you the questions I have always wanted to know about you & your Karate.
(Soon Pretorius) Thank you!
(MH) What is the name of your Association & how many schools do you have?
(SP) We are called "The Karate Academy of South Africa" and have approximately 106 karate schools in Southern Africa.
(MH) You are affiliated to Keigo Abe Sensei’s JSKA, tell us a little about him as an instructor & as a person.
(SP) Sensei Abe is an unbelievably humble person with an incredible wealth of knowledge! His teaching is normally very basic but he does have a unique way of expressing himself! He took me to his house on a recent visit to Matsuyama where one could really experience the history of this legend!
(MH) Could you please tell us about what you learned on this trip?
(SP) Sensei Abe took me to his house in Matsuyama which is more than 400 years old and he is the eight generation staying in that house! It had been an absolute life experience to be guided through history by sensei Abe. I shall never forget the experience! I have learned so much about the Japanese cultures and traditions. Sensei Abe took Sensei Nagaki’s wife and me for lunch one day. He then with such patients demonstrated to the two of us the correct way of eating Sushi! A remarkable legend!
(MH) How has your association fared at the first 3 JSKA World Cups?
(SP) We competed in Germany in 2002 with a small team and managed to win 6 gold doing especially well in the team events. In 2004, the 2nd JSKA World Cup was hosted in South Africa. We did enter a large team and could win more medals than actual entries! The prestigious open team event was won by the Academy team! The 3rd JSKA World Cup was hosted in New York, earlier this year; we brought back 41 medals, more than any other country in the world!
(MH) What do you put this success down to?
(SP) Only hard work from a team of passionate students and supporters!
(MH) Tell us about your family involvement in Karate.
(SP) I have 2 boys, aged 16 and 15, and a girl of 12. They all train karate and enjoy the occasional karate excursion! My wife is involved in "The Karate Shop" and helps tremendously with advice, motivation and support! We currently have 20 classes per day in our 5 schools in Pretoria, so you can imagine the amount of work involved.
(MH) You mention the ‘Karate Shop’, could you please tell us about this?
(SP) We started selling Karate attire since starting to teach Karate in 1984! This grew into eventually the establishment of “The Karate Shop”! We were also very fortunate when Antonio Espinos (President of WKF) introduced me to the Adidas brand and we managed to secure sole selling rights.
(MH) What is your Karate philosophy?
(SP) Karate is about building character, staying fit and winning friends! My philosophy of life is to seek peace! Often this can only be gained by IPPON!
(MH) In what ways do you think karate builds character?
(SP) The great things in life do not come easy! One must understand that true success is only gained by right choices and sustained effort in achieving those goals!
(MH) If you had to compare your teaching to a major Sensei past or present, whose technical specifications do you follow?
(SP) My style of Shotokan karate was influenced greatly by sensei’s Norman Robinson, Koos Burger and Malcolm Dorfman! Many other instructors also influenced my karate like sensei Shirai, Kase, Asai, Abe, Enoeda, Kawazoe, Naito, Andy Sherry, Kanazawa, Terry O’Neil, Tanaka, Nagaki and the list goes on! Sensei Abe and Richard Amos do still get me excited about technical detail!
(MH) You mention the likes of Andy Sherry and Enoeda Sensei, did you spend time in Britain studying under these men, and what did you learn from them?
(SP) I trained under both these “giants”! Sensei Andy is the leader with a set and not negotiable standard of technical efficiency! He knows what he wants and hardly ever deviates in attempting to reach those goals! Sensei Enoeda has the typical Japanese abrupt method of teaching and believes in the value of basics! It had been an honor to train under these masters!
(MH) What are the most emphasized points that Abe Sensei teaches?
(SP) Techniques are demonstrated with meticulous technical detail and then expected to be done without much ado! His emphasis hip support with all techniques and relaxed body posture before the execution of a technique!
(MH) How do you adopt the samurai way in life, business & Karate?
(SP) The samurai was trained to serve! I believe one should accept this philosophy and seek ways to serve in business, life and Karate. To be able to serve means to be strong and trustworthy. A misconception does exist that the weak should serve but this will only result in a very weak society!
(MH) Who of the old Sensei’s have you trained with & can you tell us which one was your favorite class.
(SP) I guess training with sensei Shirai in his private dojo in Milan left some great memories. It was long and extremely hard training. A one hour kihon kumite session would always conclude his four hour session!
(MH) How would you describe Sensei Shirai’s karate, and why do you think he has the reputation he has?
(SP) Not a very patient man with extremely high expectations! When we arrived in his dojo in Milan, he was stretching for at least two hours before teaching a senior class! His technique especially his kicking techniques are brilliant! He does expect everything from every one of his students!
(MH) If you could train with anybody for one week, who would it be & why?
(SP) My wish would be to train with Masatochi Nakayama sensei! I believe he had an immeasurable amount of knowledge and wisdom about our ancient fighting art!
(MH) What is your favorite Kata & why?
(SP) My favorite kata is Sochin! The emphasis on the sturdy and uncompromising foundation in fudu dachi combined with a bold and determined presumption fits my understanding of karate-do!
(MH) What is your outlook on competition Karate?
(SP) There is too much emphasis in the very small segment of karate! Karate is not about winning medals and trophies! It about building of the character of the participants! Instructors must devote their time to improve the quality of service to the students rather than focusing on the performance of students. Rather spend time on discovering better ways to present ideas than trying to turn students into top performers. Top performers reflect themselves and not their instructors!
(MH) What do you do in your spare time?
(SP) I enjoy my family! I also do a bit of motivational talk across the country. I also do a bit of biking when I have time! Being committed to teaching and managing karate in Southern Africa does not leave one with much time to spare!
(MH) Osu thank you again Sensei & I am sure many people will learn from your humble approach to Karate that the way of the Samurai is the way.
(SP) Osu thank you Miguel.
(SP) Osu thank you Miguel.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Let’s talk compression versus expansion
This article was written by Soon Pretorius and published in the Pretoria News Weekend on 15 November 2014
ENERGY is created by releasing a compressed substance to its expanded variation. In the vast world of physical science, one can identify a large number of unrelated movements under these conditions.
An example related to our rugbyfanatical nation is a scrum between opposing sides. The most powerful individuals usually play as forwards in a team and always those with a body mass that one would hate to find in an opposing team.
But these enormous blocks of power and energy still find it necessary to compress their legs when setting in a scrum with the sole objective of executing maximum power and strength to overpower the opposing side.
In the competitive game of squash, players are taught to “bend their knees” to create maximum projection in distance and speed. A former world champion stated that the player who bends his knees will win the game.
Athletic codes like sprinting, shotput and javelin require a mastery of compression before the final actions are executed.
In the ancient art of unarmed combat, compression or contraction is essential in nearly every move in Kata and Kumite. The very first move in Heian Shodan stipulates compression in the preparation phase of the defence only then followed by the expansion of the technique.
The most obvious compression is seen in those jumping movements like in Heian Godan and more advanced Kata like Empi. I personally enjoy Kankuku Sho which includes two very different variations of jumps.
Kamae or the ready position in a fighting stance will be in a natural position with relaxed bend legs and compressed arms. A fighter will, like the forward player in rugby, compress his or her legs and upper body to gain maximum distance in the shortest time possible.
Projection as a result of compression will firstly gain the necessary distance from the attacker to the defender but through projection also enhance the attacking hand or leg attack. It is thereby impossible to execute an effective technique without the support of the projection of the compressed badly.
In Shotokan style of karate, power is mostly created in a linear fashion opposing to the circular movements found in the Nahate styles of karate.
This will be my last column at the end of an exciting year filled with great challenges and opportunities. Enjoy the festive season and we look forward to seeing you on the tatami next year.
15 Nov 2014 / Pretoria News Weekend / Soon Pretorius
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Newsletter, October 2014
REAL KARATE
The ancient fighting art of Karate-do has been transformed into many variations in its long history. Today distinct lines can be drawn between Sport Karate, Jujitsu Karate and Karate-do (Real Karate).
Sport Karate can be defined at schools where the winning of medals seem priority. Many events will be entered and success based purely on the winning of medals.
Jujitsu Karate are schools where self-protection or self-defense receives priority in training. Kata will be trained with meticulous interest in the application of movements. Basics will focus on the effective application of such techniques.
JSKA South Africa is proud of the fact that non-negotiable REAL KARATE is trained with maximum focus of Perfecting the Character of the Students. We do train extremely effective techniques and do win medals when competing in selective events, but overriding these objectives is aimed to improve character.
Our training produces well mannered individuals, disciplined but skilled to execute the perfect technique. We pride ourselves in the adapted name of REAL KARATE.
All schools under the banner of JSKA South Africa will in future distantly define ourselves as practitioners of REAL KARATE!
JSKA South Africa in Swakopmund
It had been one of the most successful tours to neighboring Namibia with a large delegation of 101 competitors and even more supporters. The preparation program started Friday, 1 August 2014 with 100 excited individuals and ended on Monday, 6 October 2014 with a motivated team of best friends loaded with medals won at the 19th International Shotokan Development Karate Championships!
The preparation program was extended and the teaching from Simone, Jaap, Leon sensei’s assisted by a number of assistant instructors had been thorough. The Colours Presentation and Bootcamp were well presented and supported.
The brand-new designed kit received many complements and worn with pride by the South Africa Team. It had been very motivating to watch our team sing the national anthem holding the colourful SA flag high!
Thanks to all the parents for their support, the competitors for their trust and the instructors for their relentless investment into the lives of our team members.
7th JSKA World Championships – Terni, Italy
A strong delegation from South Africa returned from an extremely successful championship hosted in Terni, Italy in July 2014. Our team returned home with 46 medals in a fiercely contested event with a number of newly crowned world champions!
An intensive preparation program which lasted many months guaranteed success not-withstanding strong opposition from across the world. We have laid a strong foundation for 2016 tournament in Namibia with an unfair of competed in Swakopmund many times.
8th JSKA World Championships – Swakopmund, Namibia
We are extremely fortunate to be able to participate in the 8th JSKA World Championshipshosted on our doorstep in 2016. We have th opportunity to participate in a world event at the fraction of the price. We have competed in Swakopmund many times and understand their weather and temperatures.
The 2014 JSKA National Development Team will form the foundation of the team to represent SA in 2015 in South Africa at the 20th International Shotokan Development Championships. A final selection will be based on these results as well as consistency in performances.
In 2015 JSKA South Africa plan 6 national events spread across the year and would include the annual development and national events. Our team will be well prepared for 2016!
JSKA SA National Qualifications
JSKA SA National Qualifications have been planned for some time based on the JSKA World Federation model. In short, JSKA South Africa Instructors, Examiners and Judges will in future be licensed to teach, examine and judge at JSKA events.
The initial examination does have the advantage of applicants having free-outcome meaning that all future qualifications will be based on previous qualifications but examinees could be awarded a license of any level for this year only.
Examinations in 2014 coincide with the JSKA SA Dan Examinations in Pretoria and in PE.
JSKA SA National Qualification
Please allow me to clarify the awarding of National Qualifications:
- It is the intent of JSKA South Africa to align with the JSKA World Federation lead by Keigo Abe sensei. JSKA South Africa will in future award licenses to teach, examine or judge under the JSKA South Africa banner. Such qualifications will be awarded annually at the Dan examinations held in Pretoria and PE.
- In only 2014, all examinees to be awarded any of the grades based on performance at the grading. All future qualifications will only be awarded based on previous awards.
Judge DD Tournament Official -16 years Junior Brown+
Judge D Tournement Official – 3rd Kyu+
Judge C Judge – 1st Dan+
Judge B Centre Judge – 2nd Dan+
Judge A Kansa – 3rd Dan+
Judge D Tournement Official – 3rd Kyu+
Judge C Judge – 1st Dan+
Judge B Centre Judge – 2nd Dan+
Judge A Kansa – 3rd Dan+
Examiner DD Assistant Examiner -16 years Junior Brown+
Examiner D Assistant Examiner – 3rd Kyu
Examiner C Examiner – 1st Dan – 2nd Dan
Examiner B Supervisor (panel) 3rd Dan – 4th Dan
Examiner A Signatory (Grading) 5th Dan+
Examiner D Assistant Examiner – 3rd Kyu
Examiner C Examiner – 1st Dan – 2nd Dan
Examiner B Supervisor (panel) 3rd Dan – 4th Dan
Examiner A Signatory (Grading) 5th Dan+
Instructor DD Assistant Instructor -16 years Junior Brown+
Instructor D Assistant Instructor- 3rd Kyu
Instructor C Instructor 1st Dan – 2nd Dan
Instructor B DojoOwner 3rd Dan – 4th Dan
Instructor A Area Head 5th Dan+
Instructor D Assistant Instructor- 3rd Kyu
Instructor C Instructor 1st Dan – 2nd Dan
Instructor B DojoOwner 3rd Dan – 4th Dan
Instructor A Area Head 5th Dan+
Preparation for examination will include:
JudgeJSKA Tournament RulesA questionnaire on JSKA Rules (true / false) plus knowledge of signals
ExaminerJSKA Examination Dan / Kyu Evaluation Document
InstructorJSKA Syllabus plus ability to teach basic technique
Calendar for 2014
1) Saturday, 18 October 2014:
JSKA Kyu Grading Seminar (Centurion Dojo 09:00 to 11:00 – R100 training fee)
All levels of Kyu grades will be coached plus personal Kata taught and examined
2) 24 / 25 October 2014:
Dan Grading / National Qualifications Examinations / Standardizations Gashuku (Centurion Dojo Friday – 16:00 Saturday – 09:00)
Dan Grading (Japan accreditation included)
- Shodan R1050
- Nidan R1250
- Sandan R1550
- Yondan R2150
- Godan R2850
(We had be fortunate to negotiate a subsidized price with Abe sensei which is 50% less than the rest of the world)
National Qualification (Certification included)
- Judge R300
- Examiner R300
- Instructor R300
Standardizations Gashuku
Training fee R300 per person
3) Saturday, 1 November 2014:
Dan Grading / National Qualifications Examinations / Standardizations Gashuku (Port Elizabeth Saturday – 09:00)
Dan Grading (Japan accreditation included)
- Shodan R1050
- Nidan R1250
- Sandan R1550
- Yondan R2150
- Godan R2850
(We had be fortunate to negotiate a subsidized price with Abe sensei which is 50% less than the rest of the world)
National Qualification (Certification included)
- Judge R300
- Examiner R300
- Instructor R300
Standardizations Gashuku
Training fee R300 per person
4) 10 – 14 November 2014
Kyu (Coloured Belts) Grading
Grading Schedule will be available closer to the time!
5) 17 – 20 November 2014
Kyu Grade Certificate Presentation
WHY REAL KARATE?
1. Learn Discipline
2. Become Active
3. Build Teamwork Abilities
4. Learn Respect
5. A Boost In Self Esteem
6. Non-Violent Conflict Resolution
7. The Ability To Listen
8. Self-Defense
9. Become In Touch With The Mind/Body Connection
10. Improved Memory
11. Have Fun
12. Learn To Set Goals
13. Conquer ADD/ADHD
14. Improve Posture
15. Build Patience
16. Learn To Take A Hit And Get Back Up
17. Learn To Socialize
18. Proper Breathing
19. Learn To Mentor
20. Improve Coordination
21. Improved Mood
22. Learn How To Learn
23. Improved Balance
24. An Early Exposure To Proper Diet
25. Learn To Care For Belongings
Final Thought
We are extremely privileged to belong to a world organization with solid international credibility and status. This influences the Dan awards granted by JSKA South Africa accredited by JSKA World Federation, a world event every second year as well as a popular JSKA European tournament every alternative year.
Much energy will be deposited into the preparation of a national team to represent South Africa in Namibia in 2016. We will also arrange at least six tournaments in 2015 to get our students competition fit.
JSKA South Africa is growing fast and established a reputable reputation in a short time. The next two years will be busy and demand additional involvement of parents and students before the 8th JSKA World Championships.
Regards,
Soon Pretorius
JSKA South Africa
Soon Pretorius
JSKA South Africa
Fax2email: 086 205 9070Email: admin@karateacademy.co.za
KARATE | FOR FUN | FOR FITNESS | FOR LIFE
Newsletter, November 2014
Thanks for an amazing 2014!
Parents supported a very active year, instructors led the way, the admin office encouraged the proceses and students trusted the Karate Way!
It had been a year filled with exciting events and achievements. The new beginners group was larger than expected and a number of “lost students” returned to take their
positions in the line-up!
positions in the line-up!
JSKA South Africa hosted the annual Berg-Gashuku at Injasuti early February with perfect weather for training. Our group of seniors seemed to enjoy the hard training and
set the standard for the year.
set the standard for the year.
In May a huge delegation departed to compete in the 7th JSKA World Championships hosted in Terni, Italy. Our team was well trained and prepared to conquer the world.
We returned to South Africa with no less than 46 medals!
The 30th JSKA South Africa National Championships drew a huge crowd and included a practical evaluation of Judges to be used with the National Qualifications Examination.
Team preparation for our national and international events seem to have become a fine art. The biggest challenge is to stop training at the right time and peak on the day of the event.
The past year included much traveling and teaching abroad. Seminars were presented in England, Scotland and Germany requesting such teaching to become annual events. Visits to Italy and the JSKA WC venue proved a valuable investment for the smooth running of the Italy tour.
The 19th JSKA South Africa Development Championships hosted in Swakopmund was indeed a highlight of 2014 with a strong group of parents supporting our team in Namibia.
Our Kyu and Dan grading had been successful receiving complements for especially the high technical level and well-presented Kata. Our focus in 2015 must also include the various forms of kumite.
The JSKA South Africa Dan Examinations tested 46 students combined with National Qualifications awarded to more than one hundred applicants.
Exciting 2015
A number of very exciting events are planned for 2015 which include the 2nd JSKA Europe Tour and Championships, the 20th JSKA National Development Championships to be hosted in Magaliesburg and the 31st JSKA National Championships presented in Pretoria.
JSKA South Africa will support an additional four tournaments in South Africa in 2015 primarily to prepare our team for the 8th JSKA World Championships to be hosted
in Swakopmund in 2016.
in Swakopmund in 2016.
New schools are welcomed under the auspices of Roelf Smith in Nelspruit and Danie du Plessis in Mafikeng.
2015 Training Fees
After numerous requests, we have decided to revert to the old system of training fees which especially accommodated the training families. Unfortunately a small increase is inevitable but a reduction to more than one member of a family training will be offered.
Debit orders will still be advised as well as an annual payment by credit card with special discounts given to families.
We do believe that this incentive will motivate families to train together in our new Open Class facility!
OPEN CLASSES
The Academy schools in Pretoria will in future present an “Open Class” at the various dojo’s. All grades and all ages are welcome to train in these classes!
Many reasons motivated this new idea including parents wishing to train at the same time as their children, students of any level wishing to have additional basic training
at a convenient time and more cardio-focused training.
at a convenient time and more cardio-focused training.
The following times will be Open Classes:
- Hatfield Dojo: Tuesday / Thursday at 18:30
- Wonderboom Dojo: Monday / Wednesday at 17:45
- Moreleta Dojo: Monday / Wednesday at 18:30
- Centurion Dojo: Tuesday / Thursday at 18:15
REAL KARATE
Every facet of life is filled with phonies and fakes! We read about medical practitioners and legal representatives and politicians practicing with fake qualifications. This phynominum is unfortunately also found in our ancient art of weaponless combat!
JSKA South Africa and the Karate Academy with teach traditional karate-do as taught and practiced in schools across the world. Our foundation will stay Japan and recognition accepted from our world leader Keigo Abe sensei.
Our primarily objective is not to achieve in sport-karate or to focus on development of self-defense combinations (we do however have an unbeatable record in
international participation and have proofed our technique in practical situations) but we firstly focus on the development of character.
international participation and have proofed our technique in practical situations) but we firstly focus on the development of character.
Injuries will happen and medals will be won but that is secondary to hard training of REAL KARATE!
Last Word 
On a personal note – never have I in my many years of teaching and training Karate experienced such excitement about the future of our schools and organization! Our
leadership is strong and formidable in setting the pace and example, our administrative office excels in going the extra mile and our students grow in trust and character!
leadership is strong and formidable in setting the pace and example, our administrative office excels in going the extra mile and our students grow in trust and character!
May you have a Blessed Festive Season filled with fun and smiles and rest!
Regards,Soon Pretorius
JSKA South Africa
Fax2email: 086 205 9070Email: admin@karateacademy.co.za
KARATE | FOR FUN | FOR FITNESS | FOR LIFE
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