4th and 5th Dan for Goju Ryu Karate ladies

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Friday, 27 March 2009 08:06

Sensei Marion (left) and Sensei Karin (right) preparing for the recent grading.

Marion Bause and Karin Brockmann have just returned from South Africa where they received their 5th and 4th Dan, respectively, in the Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate style.
These are very high grades awarded by the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Federation (IOGKF). What makes this achievement even more unique is that their new grades make them the highest graded women in the IOGKF in Africa after two other South African ladies.
The current highest graded woman internationally in the IOGKF is a 6th Dan from the United Kingdom. The IOGKF is the largest organisation in the world that teaches traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate and has more than 45 member countries.
Sensei Bakkies Laubscher, 8th Chief Instructor for the IOGKF in Africa, and the most senior instructor in the IOGKF awarded the grades. IOGKF members can grade up to 5th Dan in Africa but for 6th Dan and higher they must be tested in Okinawa, Japan.
Sensei’s Marion and Karin had to write a thesis on the history and technical aspects of Goju-Ryu Karate before they were allowed to attempt the grading test. The physical grading was conducted after they had attended an Instructors Seminar that lasted for 3 days before the grading.
Both ladies teach various classes at the Goju Ryu Karate Association in Windhoek where they share their vast experience with the youth of Namibia. One of the aims of Goju Ryu Karate is to teach their students to respect their fellow human beings and this principle is emphasized every day.
In Namibia the Goju-Ryu Karate Association of Namibia will be celebrating their 30th Anniversary in August with an international tournament where more than 400 contestants are expected.
One can contact the Goju-Ryu Karate club at 061 - 241 879 if requiring more information. The club’s website is www.goju-ryu-karate-namibia.com .