This examination, in accreditation of South Africa – Goju Ryu Karate-do, was done under the leadership of chief instructor André van Vuuren Shihan and Karate-do International under leadership of Rony Kluger Kancho (a member of both the Dai Nippon Butoku-kai in Japan and the Jundokan Sho Honbu dojo in Okinawa).
Stander received his Shodan grade (first black belt), while both Auckamp and Wietz sensei received their Nidan gradings (second black belt) in this classical form of martial arts.
There was a lot of history accompanying this specific grading, which made this it very special. Stander received his brown belt in Shotokan Karate years ago as a youngster and now at age 61 has finally received a well-deserved black belt in Goju Ryu Karate-do.
Weitz also has a long history in the martial arts world, receiving his first black belt when in matric under renowned Goju Ryu Karate-do instructor Bakkies Laubscher sensei. A few years later he also received his first black belt in Shotokan Karate under another well known instructor, Stan Schmidt sensei. When JP’s son Ruben started with karate years later, his humble dad decided to start from scratch again at white belt and a few years later graded once again for his first black belt in Goju Ryu Karate-do under Shihan Andre van Vuuren with Kancho Rony Kluger’s accreditation. And now, at long last, JP sensei has received his Nidan grading with flying colours.
The panel of examiners were chief instructor André van Vuuren Shihan (Mosselbay Goju Ryu Karate-do), Kobus Klue sensei (Mosselbay, Hartenbosch, Grootbrak Goju Ryu Karate-do), Elrié Bosman sensei (George, Wilderness, Plett Goju Ryu Karate-do), Wouter Pretorius sensei (Oudtshoorn, Uniondale, Willowmore Goju Ryu Karate-do, and Wessel Wilms sensei (George, Wilderness, Knysna Goju Ryu Karate-do).
A few local karateka recently underwent their Yudansha examination in Goju Ryu Karate-do. Back row, from left: Wessel Wilms sensei, Mick Pritchard, Pieter Aucamp and Wouter Pretorius sensei. Front row, from left: Kobus Klue sensei, André van Vuuren Shihan, Elrié Bosman sensei, JP Weitz sensei, Johnny Stander.
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