THE annual Black Belt Grading of Goju Ryu Karate was recently held in Windhoek.
At the event Jürgen van Wyk tested for Sandan (third Dan Black Belt), Vilho Ndahangwapo and Stephen Haythornthwaite tested for Shodan, and Ryno Pretorius tested for Junior Shodan. Sensei Bakkies Laubscher an eighth Dan Black Belt and Chief Instructor of the IOGKF International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Federation for Africa headed the grading panel with Sensei Carl van der Merwe the Chief Instructor for Namibia. Four other senior students also formed part of the graders to make sure that students are on par with their international counterparts.A 10 hour Gasshuku (training camp) before the physical grading test of more than two hours was the used to test the competitors abilities. They also had to pass a fitness test and written examination to test their knowledge about the history as well as technical aspects of Goju Ryu Karate.The following students graded:Jürgen van Wyk tested for Sandan (3rd Dan Black Belt); Vilho Ndahangwapo – Shodan (first Dan Black Belt); Stephen Haythornthwaite – Shodan (first Dan Black Belt); Ryno Pretorius tested for Junior ShodanFor more information about Goju Ryu Karate visit www.goju-ryu-karate-namibia.com/’www.goju-ryu-karate-namibia.com/ or dial (061) 241 879.
