Monthly Archives: October 2017

Grading

SAJKA Pre-grading 28 October 2017

As a Solis Ortus tradition, we, as karatekas/instructors, endeavor to attend as many events as possible, especially pre-grading. We are highly motivated to grow, expanding our knowledge, thus enhancing our teaching abilities within our dojo.  Five Solis Ortus  Shodan karatekas, Lilian Mynhardt, Sandy Verreyne, Stephanie Kugel, Heilethe Calitz and Liam van Rooyen, led by the ever present  and instructing on the day, Sensei Eugene Oosthuizen(5th Dan, Godan),  did exactly that, braving the cold to assimilate knowledge.

On arrival at the Mandeville Sports Complex, Johannesburg, we realized that the butterflies in our stomachs were not as intense as on arrival to actual grading. Although pre-grading is mandatory to grade to the next level, we at  Solis Ortus attend these to be on the cutting edge of what’s hot and what’s not.

The training was led by the ever so captivating, Sensei Wendy Wannenburg, Rokudan(6th  Dan). Her imposing knowledge and execution of karate techniques  are inspirational and mind-boggling at the same time. With the ability to demonstrate any kick, holding said kick while continuing to instruct.

We at Solis Ortus believes to prepare ourselves until it becomes second nature and can almost execute techniques with perfection. We also do understand that hard work and a lot of sweat will determine our fate the day of grading. As part of a dojo with great history and champs, we strive to be proud of our heritage and will always aim to do our best.

We also would like our Sensei Eugene to be proud of us after the long and hard hours of work he invested in us. As the saying goes: “Practice makes perfect”.

Pre-grading on Saturday only consisted out of the Shodan syllabus no matter to what black belt level you will grade. The reason for that was that the Shodan grading syllabus forms the basis of all gradings above and needs to be executed with the correct techniques, form, stances, effort and strength. Every category Kata, Kihon and Kumite need to be performed exceptionally.

At Solis Ortus we believe in preparing ourselves to the point of it becoming second nature, always striving to perfect  techniques.  We understand that hard work and effort  will determine our fate on the day of grading.  As part of a dojo with a great history, producing many champions, we are extremely proud of our heritage and will always aim to do our best, doing justice to our dojo and validating the heart and soul invested by our Sensei, Eugene. “Practise makes perfect.”

Pre-grading on Saturday consisted of Shodan syllabus, regardless of what black belt level you will grade to. Reason being  that the Shodan grading syllabus forms the basis of all higher gradings and need to be executed with the correct techniques, ie. form, stances, effort and strength. Every category, Kata, Kihon and Kumite need to be performed exceptionally.

Sensei Johan le Grange, Rokudan (6th Dan) and the Chief Instructor of SA JKA, wants South Africa to be of the highest quality, with gradings being strict as these gradings produce future instructors.

Lilian Mynhardt and Liam van Rooyen, have six months to their proposed 2nd Dan (Nidan) grading, May 2018. The rest of us, Sandy Verreyne, Heilethe Calitz & Stephanie Kugel, propose to do said grading towards end 2018. To achieve our individual goals we realise that extensive and intensive training of all that we have learnt, old and new, will have to be undertaken.

By extending our knowledge and qualifications we aim to enhance the training given to all our students.

Remember:
• Be proud, but be humble
• Work on your strengths, but be aware of your weaknesses
• Stay motivated
• Stay focusses
• Be fit
• Enjoy
• Never give up

Good luck to everyone preparing for their Black belt grading.

“Don’t fear moving slowly forward. Fear standing still.” USSD Woodbridge
Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Events

Coen memorial Challenge

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Coen Memorial – A historic event

The second Coen Memorial Tournament was held 21 October 2017 at the Solis Ortus Dojo. This historic event created unbelievable confidence in some of the students and great expectations and promises for our Solis Ortus new champs to be. Experience was not the key of the day, but to become part of a great karate history. What an awesome day!

Many eyes shot tears when sensei Eugene spoke with great respect of his late father, Sensei Coen Oosthuizen, and admitted with innumerable admiration that after all these years he is only feeling now that he is getting closer to follow in his fathers footsteps. How great is that? We, as Solis Ortus karate club is so privileged to form part of such rich tradition and history of 39 years. We are an established club since 1978 with enormous heart and soul from our parents, students and instructors.

 

Of over 200 students, 169 students participated at the Coen Memorial. With great joy, goose bumps and happy tears we enjoyed every move of every karateka in the dojo. The little ones were so adorable with their huge spirit and loud kias (screams). All ages had their own personalities that stood out. From more serious to shaking up to the shy one; and then to the more confident experienced ones.

 

Many have new tails to tell of the day, and many have a few bruises and headaches; but no one left the dojo empty handed. We received medals, even though it was only as a participant. But most of all we had fun!

This reminded me of an old Chinese proverb: “If you want 1 year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people.”

 As we grow as a karate club, we also prosper as strong human beings with great tradition, character, self-confident leaders and sportsmanship. We create a healthy lifestyle.

Well done Solis Ortus, our sensei stand proud to be the leader of such an awesome club.

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

 

 

Competition

JKA World Champs – 2017

Introduction

This prestigious event was the first to be held in Ireland at the University of Limerick (UL). JKA World Karate Championships attracted about 2,500 competitors and supporters from 58 countries participating in the 14th Funakoshi Gichin Cup August 18 and continued until Sunday, August 20.

There are impressive numbers involved in the JKA World Karate Championships 2017 with 800 fighting mats being used to make up eight tatamis and 2 400 bottles of water.

The JKA World Karate Championships 2017 took place outside Japan just once every six years and has previously been held in Australia and Thailand. This year history was made as it is the first time since 1994 that Japan gave the winning title to Chillie.

JKA Ireland was founded in the early 1970s by Corkman Sensei Noel Casey, 7th Dan JKA; who has played a significant role in bringing karate in Ireland to a world-class standard. Its history is said to date back over 2000 years and involve development in India, China, Korea amongst other countries.

Karate, as we know it today, was introduced to Japan from Okinawa in the early part of the 20th century when Gichin Funakoshi presented a demonstration in Tokyo.

Solis Ortus makes history

What an honour to be selected as part of the South African JKA International Team as karatekas and Coach. PW Pentz and Elmien Viljoen had the privilege to be part of the 14th Funakoshi Gichin Cup World Championships 2017 in Ireland. Sensei Eugene was selected as a South African coach to accompany and coach the team to Ireland.

Sensei Eugene is not only a sensei or karateka but also a role model, motivator, holds strong karate values and is a great achiever on South African and International soil. He believes in the harder you work in your karate the more satisfying is your results.

After 2 months of hard training and long hours of body and mind preparation, the day came to face their opponents. Still convincing your body to let your mind do the work, nerves kicked in and your heart is about to climb out of your throat.

After a long flight they arrived at Shannon International Airport, 25 km alongside the N18, in the spectacular green clean city Limerick, a city of many contrasts, first City of Culture, which managed to successfully blend the modern with the historic. The weather was from shiny the one minute to dripping wet the other.

They stayed in the luxurious hostels at the University of Limerick.

PW Pentz started his karate journey when he was 7 years old. His heart beats karate. He eats, drinks and sleeps karate. He always dreamed to achieve high ranks in his beloved sport. Karate for PW is a lifestyle although he loves to compete and to improve himself. He is a dedicated hard working 12 year old, who is determined to improve and achieve. He practice 2-3 hours five days a week.

His preparation for Ireland consisted of continuous hard work and concentration on faster movements with his feet and strong fast punches. He also trained by improving his kumite techniques such as keep distance, attacking and defending techniques and more effective kicking.

With no expectations, a lot of nerves and guts he competed against 34 competitors in his division. He had four fights. In the first round he fought against Japan, second round Russia and third round Canada. After three successful wins he faced Japan again. He admitted that it was hard, mentally and physically, but prevailed and made history for Solis Ortus.

It is the first time in the history of Solis Ortus karate club that someone achieved a medal in the junior division. Sensei Eugene bursting with pride and is humbled with the fact that to receive a place in an International Championship is a huge achievement. Solis Ortus salutes you PW and stand proud next to you lifting you up to celebrate your victory and achievement. PW got bronze and ranked number 3 in the world in his division!

His parents, Pieter and Iris, are extremely proud of him. In the interview they humble themselves with PW’s achievement and stated they did not expect a medal, being there is already a big achievement.

PW was worried about his father’s reaction if he fails to achieve. Pieter gave permission to publish his message to his son to read on his flight to Ireland as his answer: “Jy het hard gewerk en jy is net so goed soos enige seun van jou ouderdom in die wêreld. Moet nie oorhaastig wees nie, gaan geniet dit en doen net jou beste. Gebruik jou kop en jy sal bo uitkom. Ek glo in jou. Lief vir jou my CHAMP!”

PW, happy and proud and cannot thank his parents enough, especially his father for all his support in his karate journey. He also give thanks to Sensei Eugene his role model and motivator. PW is already planning to start preparing himself for Tokyo 2020. His goal is to achieve the ultimate.

He made a lot of new friends and will cherish his experiences in Limerick.

Solis Ortus formidable achiever

Elmien Viljoen, 1st Dan, 16 year old karateka started her karate journey when she was 7 years old. She is a formidable athlete with high goals and achievements. She won many JKA kumite divisions in her age group over the years. Her biggest dream is to represent her country at Shotocup.

With determination, hard work, focus and a goal like bulls eye, she prepared herself as her dream aroused in front of her. She can touch it for the first time, as number 1 SA JKA Kumite Champ 2017. At last, now she can pack her bags, go to Ireland and represent her country. What an honour.

Elmien worked hard on her fitness, kicks and distance in-between school demands and studies as a grade 11 pupil. Her division was massive with 62 competitors all over the world. It was quite intimidating to see them all standing ready with no tatami in sight. Most of the girls was already 18 and 19 years old, knowing each other as the years passed by, and always meeting as competitors on common ground.

Competition was tough, extremely fast and of a very high standard. Unfortunately Elmien fell out against Argentina in the first round. She was sad and disappointed but luckily Elmien has her eye still on the prize and above the honour of being there for the first time, she will push herself to do better and prepare herself for greatness to be back in Tokyo 2020.

Her desire for greatness is the key to her motivation, but her determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of her goal – a commitment to excellence – will enable Elmien to attain the success she seeks. One of Elmien’s characteristics is, once she dealt with disappointments, motivation kicks in and she can focus on her purpose for the next goal.

Her first goal is to focus on Matric next year and then she will put her body and soul into her preparation for 2020. She wants to show the world she deserves to be there and therefor will give her everything to be victorious. “True victory is victory over oneself.” Morihei Ueshiba

Her mother, Sonja, also a 1st Dan karateka, mentioned that karate is a learning curve for life. As a sport it also has its ups and downs as in true life scenarios. Karate teach you to overcome disappointments, to perform under stress and arise victoriously in every situation.

Solis Ortus stand in awe of Elmien’s strong character and is proud in her achievement as ambassador for Solis Ortus and her country. Well done, you deserve to be part of our SA JKA National Team and looking forward to see you in 2020. It never gets easier. YOU get better!

Solis Ortus believes in you – high achievers, like you, spot rich opportunities swiftly, make big decisions quickly and move into action immediately. Follow these principles and you can make your dreams come true – Robert H Schuller

Solis Ortus is exceedingly proud of PW and Elmien that touched the feeling of their dreams. The great future belongs to those who have strong vision and determination. It doesn’t matter where you are now, starting well and finishing strong is all that matters.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. “Teddy Rosevelt

Written by: Heilethe Calitz