Belgium Open Championship,04 May 2014

 

The beautiful trophies at the Belgium Opens

Congratulations to Eric Bortels Sensei and his Belgium team who planned and organised a tournament for JKS and G Karate (Integrated Karate Federation) on 4 May 2014. The tournament consisted of a traditional championship and a championship for disabled karateka. To those who don't know, G Karate is a tournament with a system developed by Eric Bortels Sensei for disabled karateka. It is divided into many categories or sections that strive to cater for all types of disabilities.

Eric Bortels Sensei organizing the "Walkers" into rows before the Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony

The tournament kicked off with the “Walkers” division. I have a lot of experience in tournaments, but I did not know the complexity of dividing and planning the different sections until it was explained to me by Eric. The “Walkers” division considered people having the following categories of disabilities: autism, down syndrome, blindness, physically handicapped and mentally handicapped. After the "Walkers” division a trophy ceremony was held and trophies were handed out to the winners of the different categories.

The wheelchair demonstration that followed was a surprising treat, with 23 wheelchairs in the hall performing Heian Shodan in unison. I looked around at all the people watching the demonstration and didn't feel too bad seeing that I wasn't the only one wiping a tear pretending I had something in my eye.

Wheel Chair Demonstration participants with their "Buddy" to assist them

Next up was the wheelchair division that consisted of three categories. Category 1 being for the most mentally and physically disabled and Category 3 for people only physically disabled. A New concept of doing kumite was developed where the disabled practitioner is attacked 5 times and must execute 5 different ways of defending. Competitors were rated according to a score system and the highest scorer wins.

Winners in the Electric Wheelchair division

The tournament had an excellent attendance and was well organised, congratulations are in order to all attendees, organizers, competitors and helping hands. For me it was at times very emotional to see how much effort and enthusiasm the disabled karateka had in their performances. I left Belgium with enthusiasm and will strive to implement the same system in South Africa.

Congratulations Eric Bortels Sensei and your team for a wonderful and exciting championship. Good luck for the future and may your enthusiasm touch the hearts of many more!

Andre Kok Sensei

DR MIKE PRETORIUS

DR MIKE PRETORIUS

Dr Mike Pretorius was born on the 14^th of June 1971 in Salsbury, Harare.  He started his karate when he was 6 years old in Zimbabwe and he trained for 6 months before they moved to South Africa. 

In grade 8 he formally started (1984) with Sensei Danie Ludick from Shukukai.  He became Shukukai SA champ and at Nidan he moved to Bloemfontein to qualify as a surgeon. 

He qualified as a surgeon in 2002 and worked at 3 hospitals, Universitas, Rosepark and 3 Military Hospital.  Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with MS in 1997.  His health deteriorated and for three years he operated from his wheelchair.

In 2010 he was forced to stop working due to his hands not functioning properly.  He is very involved with Mikael, his son’s karate.  Mikael is currently an orange belt at Shotokan Karate Academy, Bloemfontein.

He always sits in the doorway and watches Mikael enjoy his classes.

When Mikael  graded to yellow and orange belt, his father handed him his original belts that he wore many years ago.

One of his wishes is to see his son compete at the Olympics or World Champs.

"Never have I seen a parent with so many challenges and still make a huge effort to attend every function. He has become such a huge part of our everyday classes at Shotokan Karate Academy and is always willing to help our Club."  - Quentin Rourke

2nd JKS Instructor Training Session a Big Success

Click  here to download Sensei Andre's article about the JKS Instructor Course on 17 May 2014.

Visit to the Belgium Embassy

The spouse of the Ambassador of Belgium to South Africa extended an invitation to a tea and coffee morning on the 15th May at their residence in Pretoria. 

The Ambassador and his wife, Mr and Mrs Dierik had spent almost 5 years in Japan and grew to love the country and its people.  They wanted to invite people with strong ties to Japan because of their great love of the country.   Through the Japanese Embassy they were given recommendations of who to invite. The Japanese Embassy recommended Shihan Norman amongst others.

We spent a lovely morning meeting people from the Ikebana Society, members of the Japanese Consulate and The Ambassador and his lovely wife.

She is a very talented artist and displayed some beautiful paintings of Sumo Wrestlers which she herself had painted whilst in Japan.

May Newsletter

Click here or on the picture below to download Shihan Norman's May 2014 newsletter.