All posts by Eugene Oosthuizen

Articles, Club, Events, Visitors

Sensei Bernard Buys (JKA 5th Dan Instructor)

Solis Ortus has an invited instructor evening, 3 to 4 times a year, in our senior class.  This time around we were invited Sensei Bernard Buys on 7 November 2018.

Just to give a short introduction to this 44 year old sensei, who briefly pursued a lawyer career and soon realized that karate was his true passion, who swapped his suit and tie for his karate gi. Today, he is a full time JKA karate instructor to almost 200 students in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, and declared: “I love what I do and wouldn’t change it for anything. I find it incredibly rewarding to teach JKA karate to students, see them grow and love to pass on my knowledge.”

His motto in life is to maintain a disciplined and focused outlook on life; and his quest is: to become fitter, faster, better, stronger and leaner each year.

Sensei Bernard presented a very traditional, down to the point basic class to teach us how to improve our kicks. Although basic….basics are the foundation of traditional karate….he broke it down into building blocks and then combined it to execute with speed, control and precision.

Sensei Bernard also concentrated how to loosen up the hips and stated that hips play an enormous roll in executing an effective kick. Traditional JKA karate depends on hip movement and that makes our karate more effective and different from other styles.

Hip movement, contraction and expansion was of the basics he concentrated on and made us realized how important it is to grade to higher gradings. In line with sensei Bernard’s training session, Solis Ortus is currently preparing for Shodan and up gradings in 2019.

After a hard session, Solis Ortus stood proud to know that our training in the dojo is on par with our current Veteran South African grand champion in both Kata and Kumite, sensei Bernard Buys. Thank you sensei for a great informative session you have presented. We wish you all the best for all your future endeavours and cannot wait to train with you again.

Thank you to Sensei Eugene who always go the extra mile to help us improve our karate. Thank you to the late class who always absorbs every little bit of extra information to excel and improve themselves. Also no one can make someone feel more welcome than a Solis Ortus Welcome….one way JKA, JKA one way….Solis Ortus!

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Articles, Competition, Events, Kata, Kumite

JKA Gauteng North Qualification 2019

This weekend Solis Ortus hosted the JKA GN trials. The Tshwane region entered 180 entries of which Solis Ortus consisted of 110 karatekas of all ages. With a team like that we can only stand proud to announce that most of our athletes medalled and have the opportunity to compete in the JKA GN tournament to receive their colours.

As host, Solis Ortus strives to be on time with the events as scheduled and wrote a new page in their rich history of 40 years. New champions in the making couldn’t hide their overjoyed excitement of the medals and places they have achieved. Parents were ecstatic….and definitely indulged in the joy for their young champions with a treat afterwards. We as instructors, stand proud and wish each athlete only the best in their new karate journey.

In total Solis Ortus achieved 208 medals; 118 gold, 48 silver and 42 bronze medals. Awesome…awesome….oss-some!

For our more frequent and more experienced competitors, well done. Remember to take the hands of our new champions in the making, and help them grow the same love for the sport. Encourage them, praise them and be an ambassador for your club, your region, and your province…..and of course the ultimate, your country.

As the year reaches its end, we are busy preparing for grading the 1st December 2018, and wishing you all a fantastic and successful grading. For those who are preparing for exams, stay focused, breath, drink a lot of water, eat healthy and keep on training.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” Robert Collier

Congratulations and good luck to all your endeavours this month….see you all on grading day!

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Articles, Club, Events

Solis Ortus Super Hero Theme

This week we invited all super heroes to Solis Ortus, not to reveal their identities but to come show off their abilities and strengths, mentally and physical.

And so we came to the conclusion that if we have so many super heroes in our dojo we MUST have a ton of super parents backing (and funding) all these heroes.

Quotes from famous superheroes

BATMAN – it’s not who I am underneath but what I do that defines me!

SPIDERMAN – with great power comes great responsibility

WONDER WOMAN – it’s about what you believe

Thank you for participating in this theme.

Articles, Club, Competition, Events

3rd Annual Coen Memorial Challenge

Wow, what an awesome event it was!  The day was filled with love and laughter, excitement and pride as our students from as little as 3 years old to much older, took part in the 3rd Annual Coen Memorial Challenge.

As commemoration to our late Sensei Coen, who started this extraordinary karate club 40 years ago, we can just stand in awe and celebrate our incredible history.

The Coen Memorial Challenge is a highlight in Solis Ortus’s calendar, where all our students take part to compete against each other.  At this tournament some students compete for the first time.

The day kicked off with our little ones doing an obstacle course and ended on a high note where our black belts concluded the day in outstanding karate.

It was amazing, overwhelming and too adorable to see how much raw talent there is in our club. Many students surprised our Instructors and showed unbelievable talent from normal class work to competitor.

Solis Ortus is extremely proud to have such amazing parents and awesome students. We are enormously proud to be part of such an amazing club full of raw talent and history. We are honoured to be part in the growth, development and character building in each student.

After a successful tournament we wish all our students good luck for the upcoming exams and of course prepare for our grading exam on the 1st December 2018. Stay focused! Work hard, but work smart! Keep on training!

Looking forward to see you all this week.

One way…JKA…ONE CLUB…Solis Ortus!

Thank you sensei Eugene for an awesome tournament…..

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Articles, Club, Competition

The past three tournament successes

2nd Samurai Cup

Six Solis Ortus athletes competed in the 2nd Samurai Cup on Saturday 15 September 2018 at the Beaulieu College School Hall, Kyalami. This tournament was hosted and particularly well organized by The Russell Sim Karate Academy and Midrand Martial Arts Academy.

With no exception we stand proud yet again in our young athletes’ performances and achievements this past weekend. Solis Ortus brought home 11 medals in total. Our young athletes achieved double medals in both events; kata and kumite; 4 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze; and unfortunately 1 student missed out on a double medal.

Well done to our stars Ethan Brazille; Pieter Jordaan; John-Henry du Toit; Drian du Toit; Drew Dupuy and Darius Peenze. We are tremendously delighted in your karate journey and cannot wait to see what happens next.

“Every day focus on your purpose.

Remember why you do what you do.

We don’t get burned out because of what we do.

We get burned out because we forget why we do it.” 

jongordon11

 

GKF Development and Development Opens

Eight Solis Ortus karatekas arrived bright and early at the Portuguese Hall in Johannesburg on Saturday morning, ready to ensure their place in the KSA Development team, competing in Durban early October 2018.

From our youngest, 4 years old to our oldest 23 years old, we only expected great results. As always our karatekas surprised us, and we can only stand in admiration how they have grown as athletes, to withstand the pressure they experience by stepping onto the tatami’s and only give their best.

There were two divisions; Development where children of the same belt and age competed against each other; and the Development Opens, where all belts of same ages competed.

Only the first 4 places in the Opens division that qualified will compete in KSA Development in Durban on 6th October 2018. We are proud to announce that 3 of our karatekas achieved their places: Jayden van der Merwe (7 years old), Strauss Vosser (9 years old) and Tiaan Uys (23 years old).

Always remember that winning is about attitude. A winner is a person who goes out today and every day and attempts to be the best athlete and best person he or she can be. Winning is about determination, effort and self-assurance, and to never, ever, ever giving up.

Well done to all our competitors. Solis Ortus is extremely proud of you all and cannot wait to see how you all develop in great sport men and sport women one day. We are especially proud of our 3 athletes who qualified for the KSA Development team.

In total Solis Ortus achieved 9 medals of which 3 are gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze.

“If you dream and you allow yourself to dream you can do anything.”

Clara Hughes

Gauteng League 3 Championship

We would like to congratulate 5 Solis Ortus (SO) athletes who competed this weekend at the Portuguese Hall, Turffontein. They are PW Pentz, Drew Dupuy, Lolly Constable, Thirq du Preez and Pieter Jordaan. Yet again you accomplished your milestones and arose with 4 medals; 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze.

Weigh in took place on the Friday and the competition commenced on Saturday morning. As always we had a formidable SO team who came out tops with hardship, bruises, shiners and other small injuries. Well done everyone, we are proud of our young athletes who are stepping into a fantastic karate journey, full of good memories and phenomenal experience.

The KSA Selection Panel will select athletes to represent South Africa at the Commonwealth Games after the final KSA League this weekend. They stated that it is not necessarily the top 4 ranked athletes that will be selected for the team. It will be used as a guideline together with other factors will be taken into consideration to select the final team.

Good luck to all our SO athletes, we cannot wait to see how many club karatekas will be honoured with the selection to represent South Africa at the Commonwealth Games.

You all have shown good character and the ability to rise above adversity. Keep on doing what you’re doing and you will become the best of best in what you do.

Well done to all our champions, we are extremely proud of you all.

Written by:  Heilethe Calitz

Articles, Club, Events

Africa Training with JKA WF senseis

Africa Training with JKA WF senseis

When sensei Okuma visits South Africa, we cannot wait to attend at least one of his sessions. We had the privilege to have trained with the best; Chief Instructor of JKA/WF: Shuseki Shihan Masaaki Ueki Sensei (9th Dan) and International Affairs Division JKA/WF: Shihan Koichiro Okuma Sensei (6th Dan). Both senseis’ presented morning and evening sessions at the Mandeville Sports Complex in Johannesburg, 28 – 31 August 2018.

As this was part of JKA’s 2nd Africa Cup for the Junior and Senior Karate Championship Tournament, on 1st September 2018, we had visitors from Mauritius, DRC, Angola, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar and Reunion. JKA also held a Technical seminar, Judge seminar, Dan examination and Qualification exam before the championship.

We are exceptionally proud of Sensei Eugene who was part of those who did the ABC international exam and passed all three (judge, examiner and instructor) and is now proudly on BCB level. Well done sensei. We are proud of you. You are really an inspiration for Solis Ortus and especially a role model to our young athletes.

Shuseki Shihan Masaaki Ueki Sensei and Shihan Koichiro Okuma Sensei were present at the Dan gradings as well.

The training with Masaaki Ueki Sensei and Okuma Sensei was well presented and concentrated on fundamentals such as hip movement, axis centre line, weight distribution, expansion and contraction, turning on the heel, turns and bunkais in katas Jion, Bassai Dai and Kanku Dai.

Solis Ortus was well represented at the seminars and we are definitely on par with JKA International. Thank you SAJKA HQ for the opportunity to have trained with the best.

“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained in sudden flight.
But, they, while their companions slept, they, were toiling upwards in the night”.
Longfellow

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Articles, Club, Competition

JKA AFRICA CUP

Extraordinary karate at the Africa Shoto Cup the past weekend with our honourable Japanese senseis; Chief Instructor of JKA/WK: Shuseki Shihan Masaaki Ueki Sensei (9th Dan) and JKA HQ Instructor International Affairs: Shihan Koichiro Okuma Sensei (6th Dan).

Walking into the arena early Saturday morning was overwhelming yet intimidating out of a competitors’ point of view. Again Solis Ortus was well represented as Table officials, judges and referees on this prestigious event. Solis Ortus sat at the main table and did an excellent job. Thank you Sandy – as always a pleasure working with you…..and having fun on the side line of course, never a dull moment.

African countries such as Mauritius, DRC, Angola, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar and Reunion came to participate against the cream of South Africa. South Africa was a formidable opponent and arose as the winner of the tournament.

Solis Ortus had 8 athletes who competed for the day, Sandra Erasmus (Kata & Kumite), Cathy van Onselen (Kata & Kumite), Karin du Plessis (Kata & Kumite), Heilethe Calitz (Kata & Kumite), Lilian Mynhardt (Kumite), PW Pentz (Kumite), Fernando da Rosa (Kata & Kumite) and Suandri Esterhuizen (Kata).

Most of them medalled for the day and brought home 9 medals; 4 gold and 5 bronze. Solis Ortus is extremely proud of each and everyone’s achievement for the day. Even if you have not medalled, just to be there was an honour and a great accomplishment.

“True strength is in the soul and spirit, not in the muscles”. – Unknown

So, congratulations to all of you! You came to accomplish and you did. Sensei Eugene is tremendously proud of you all.

One way – JKA, JKA – Solis Ortus.

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Articles, Club, Competition, Kata, Kumite, Results

Spartan and Lions Challenge

Solis Ortus conquered the Spartan and Lions Challenge at the Portuguese Hall, Turffontein, Johannesburg; the past two weekends.

The Club entered a team of 18 karatekas to compete in the Spartan All Styles event. A total of 9 karatekas competed in their first All Styles event. Solis Ortus was also represented by 2 team Kumite groups who fought like champions. The junior team just missed the gold medal. The cadets came out on top in their group with a deserving gold! The team earned 12 gold, 9 silver, 2 bronze and 8 participation medals = 31 in total (excluding the team events).

Savannah Hauser had tough a few ladies competing against her, but did not stand back and took the punches (and gave a few strong one’s) like a champ! Well-deserved gold in Kata and silver for Kumite.

Tiaan Uys fought like a warrior in the senior male division. Not only did he crush his competitors, he had the whole Solis Ortus club behind him during each fight. First fight in 10 years, Tiaan, well done!!! Your silver medal was well deserved.

The Solis Ortus team walked away proudly and this event is surely one to remember!

New to the coaching team with Sensei Lillian was Savannah Hauser and Darius Peenze who had their first coaching opportunities. Still lots to learn, but enjoying every moment of being with the kids!!

At the Lions Challenge, a variety of competitors entered. Some newbies who competed for the first time, some with more experience and then our frequent competitors. Solis Ortus made history and entered the youngest competitor of the tournament; our very own 4 year old tigress who competed in a division where her competition was much older. She stood her ground and bravely won a gold medal in kata.

Competition in the more elite divisions is getting tougher. Most of our karatekas medalled and out of 13 competitors we achieved 13 medals; 5 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals.

Solis Ortus is overjoyed to see how the youngsters grow and succeed in their karate journey. Solis Ortus stand proud to witness each karateka grow as an athlete and also as an individual.

With the outstanding support from the Solis Ortus parents and our Sensei and coach, we had a very successful Spartan and Lions Challenge.

Solis Ortus came out victoriously with a total of 17 gold, 12 silver and 7 bronze medals; a total of 36 medals out of 26 participants in both tournaments.

Congratulations to all of you….well done!!!

Written by: Leazill Peenze & Heilethe Calitz

Articles, Club, Competition, Kumite

A champion in the making – Hannelore Constable

Hannalore Constable, Lolly as we know her in class has been selected to be part of the National karate team of University Sports South Africa (USSA).

Lolly was preliminary selected for the National team in October 2017 at the USSA competition held at the Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT’s) Shoshanguve campus. The final selection took place on 17 February 2018 at TUT’s campus in Pretoria.

The USSA National team participated in the 2018 International University Sports Federation World University Karate Championship, 19 – 22 July in Kobe, Japan.

She competed in the U61 kg’s Female kumite category and was the only South African who made it through to the second round. Winning the first fight 4-1 to Switzerland and losing the second fight to France by only one point, gave her the lifelong experience to excel and focus on her strengths. The standard of karate at the tournament was unbelievably high.

She stated that Japan is a beautiful country and the people are very polite and friendly. She also mentioned that the trip would have not been the same without her fellow team mates. They had loads of fun together and even got lost in Osaka, the second largest city in Japan, for 3 hours.

Solis Ortus congratulate Lolly for her achievement and wishing her all the best of luck for her future karate endeavours. We are extremely proud of her, train hard, stay focussed and believe in yourself.

“All women were created equal,

then some learn

KARATE.”

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

 

 

Articles, Events, Kata, Visitors

Sensei Marina Valassopoulos

She is an elite athlete, 6th Dan, a Podiatrist, devoted about helping and healing people, a perfectionist and passionate about her karate.

She also had the honour and privilege to grade in Japan.

Solis Ortus had the pleasure to train with Sensei Marina in the beginning of August.

Her focus was plyometric drills, strength, endurance, muscle fatigue, legs and speed. Muscle fatigue is mostly our enemy. She focused on low stances and how to overcome weaknesses and replace it with endurance. Her philosophy is not to give up when your legs are tired but to overcome it with endurance and built strength into your legs. She cleverly combined plyometric and kata training to build strength and speed. Most of her techniques were built around Empi.

Because her passion resides more to kata, she especially helped the older generation to improve their way of applying their kata with more meaning. She indicated that if you are not fast, at least do your kata with feeling….fast is fast and slow is slow…do not rush.

Her patient, methodical, helpful way of teaching was an inspiration to improve ourselves in our karate journey. Class was hard and we definitely received a full body workout. Our senior class really appreciated and enjoyed a well-planned, hard class with Sensei Marina and we look forward to inviting her for another training session.

She admired Sensei Eugene as a top athlete and as an enthusiastic instructor; and complemented Solis Ortus as a well-organised dojo with good vibes.

We, as Solis Ortus karatekas, want to thank Sensei Marina for her dedication and contagious love for karate, and the honour to have trained with her. Thank you to Sensei Eugene for the opportunity to train with such incredible senseis.

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Articles

Solis Ortus and the Voortrekker Monument

This year the Voortrekker Monument commemorate the 80th year of laying the cornerstone of the monument. Solis Ortus took part in this celebration at Woodlands 18-hole Peter Matkovich designed golf course, where several businesses and organizations took part to contribute to the restoration of the Monument.

Solis Ortus setup banners and distributed pamphlets at the club house and sponsored the 9th hole. The person who managed to land their ball closest to the 9th hole won a free month karate for a family of four.

There were 80-90 players of which one of our Solis Ortus fathers from Solidarity also participated. Mr JG de Waal from MVB Registered Accountants & Auditors won the bet closest to the 9th hole and will shortly join a free month of karate for his family.

How fortunate are we to form part in such a countless endeavour to help renovating our National Heritage Site, the Voortrekker Monument. As we are on the brink of celebrating our own 40th year legacy of Solis Ortus, we can only appreciate the efforts of the Voortrekker Monument, Freedom Park and the Department of Arts and Culture to conserve the beautiful heritage sites in Tshwane by involving communities in a sustainable manner.

Solis Ortus would like to thank management of the Voortrekker Monument for the opportunity to be part of such a historic moment.

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Articles, Club, Events

Solis Ortus Parents-Kid Training

Kids are blessings, they are our future and everyone have unconditional love for kids because of their innocence and cuteness. All this is so true in our dojo. They are tomorrow’s treasures.

Solis Ortus parents are the greatest. As we all know, children are great imitators, so give them something to imitate. Last night roles changed.

Solis Ortus hosted a fun training session where kids invited their parents to train with them from the minis up to our senior belt group. How great is that! The atmosphere in the dojo was vibrant, full of joy and laughter. Both parents and kids had so much fun. It was so precious to experience the little ones trying to tell mom or dad how to stand, how to oss and of course to kiai. It’s adorable to see the unconditional love between parents and their kids. To experience how obedient the parent is in their kid’s territory and of course to the sensei. Precious moments!

Today we are living in the fast lane and this opportunity formed new memories and bonds of love, mutual respect and most of all positive involvement and time invested in their lives. Times like this are the ultimate joy of play in a child’s life.

Solis Ortus will definitely repeat this successful event in future. Both parents, kids and instructors enjoyed it immensely. We all trained hard, built positive new memories and shared with our children what they enjoy.

We salute all our brave parents who joined us, and invite all other parents who missed out to watch this space and join us next time.

“Your children only gets one childhood. Make it MEMORABLE.”
Regina Brett

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Articles, Club

Instructors Meeting 21 July 2018

Solis Ortus Instructors ROCK!

It is our mission to always be:

R – Ready

O – Optimistic

C – Caring

K – Kinetic

To enable us all to ROCK we have regular meetings and standardization seminars to equip us to teach karate on a high standard. As karate is for most of us a passion, it is almost second nature to teach and share the skill to our students.

Solis Ortus is proud to say that we have 9 active, dedicated, and passionate Instructors and a team of Assistant Instructors and helpers. Our Instructors range from Purple, Kuy 1, Shodan, Sandan and Yondan. Some will definitely grade for Nidan in August 2018 and May 2019. Our Assistant Instructors range from Brown belt (3) and Orange – Blue belt (11). These helpers are allocated into the Menlyn and Faerie Glen dojos.

Sensei Eugene is extremely proud of this team as it only measured a solid and precise team for the past 3 – 4 years.

On Saturday we all came together to brainstorm, develop and maintain our karate philosophy for the next term to ensure that it is loaded with fun functional karate. Our Instructors will take the time to start preparing for their individual belt groups which will split up mid-August.

How fortunate are we to train and receive from a master as sensei Eugene. We all came together at his beautiful new home, prepared on purpose.

Our Instructors work as a well-oiled machine and are well equipped to teach the students on any belt level. In all seriousness we can laugh, enjoy and overcome all challenges regarding teaching, and feel fortunate to have such a great team of friends.

After our meeting we had a braai as friends and cannot wait to start preparing for our 2nd grading 1 December 2018.

We as Solis Ortus Instructors want to thank sensei Eugene for his guidance, patience and roll he plays in each and everyone’s karate journey to create a love and lifestyle in karate.

As they say: “Actions prove who someone is, words just proves who someone wants to be.” Inspirational / Motivational Quotes…with Martial Arts

 

There is nothing more rewarding to see how our students grow as individuals, improve themselves, achieve their ranking in competitions, achieve high marks in school, develop their characters, get confidence and excel in life. To see all the laughter and enjoyment of each kid doing karate is thrilling. Special hugs from our students makes our hearts explode and then….the little hand taking yours to show you something or just to stand next to you…..all this make instructing and teaching worth the effort.

Thank you to Solis Ortus and sensei Eugene to be part of such and amazing club and team; and to be able to express all the emotions and pride into our karate students.

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Uncategorized

Solis Ortus shone at KSA Opens and Elite Championships Tongaat 2018

Solis Ortus shone at KSA Tongaat 2018

With a great entourage, our Solis Ortus athletes arrived in eThekwini, meaning “bay/lagoon” to participate in the KSA Elite & SA Open Championship in Tongaat. Mention the name ‘Tongaat’ and the next word on the average South African’s lips is ‘sugar’. Tongaat is a sugar-producing town with a characteristically English colonial flavour that lies on the banks of the Tongati River, about 37 kilometres north of Durban. Tongaat is also the oldest Indian community in South Africa.

Seven of our top athletes, competed in this tournament the past weekend. As usual weigh-in is a day before and took place on the Friday. On Friday, Sensei Eugene attended a coach’s course and examination at the Tropicana Hotel in Durban on the Marine Parade. It is with pride to acknowledge our sensei on being one of only 3 people to pass both the kata and kumite coaches accreditation.

Saturday all kata divisions, except the Veterans and Masters; Opens and Elite kumite up to 14 years took place. Sunday all kumite divisions continued for 14+ years old as well as the Veteran and Masters divisions. Solis Ortus wants to congratulate the following athletes who competed and received their medals.

KSA Opens: Milan Kruger – Kumite (Gold); Drew Dupuy – Kata (Fell out) and Kumite (Silver); and PW Pentz – Kata (Fell out).

 KSA Elite: Pieter Jordaan Kata (Bronze) and Kumite (Silver); Savanah Hauser – Kata (Bronze); PW Pentz – Kumite (Gold); Thirq du Preez – Kumite (Fell out); and Hanelore Constable – Kumite (Gold).

Karate South Africa honoured all the Protea athletes who have represented the country internationally (July 2017- Botswana tour 2018) to attend a Gala dinner banquet preceding the Elite /SA Open Championships on Friday evening. Chief guest of honour for the Annual event is Mr Gideon Sam President of SASCOC.

All our athletes representing South Africa came dressed up in their green and gold to receive their trophies. Savannah, Hannelore, PW and Thirq, Solis Ortus salute you with pride and wish you all the best for 2019.

Some came home after the Championship and some stay behind to enjoy the warm sun alongside the Dolphin coast. Some collected seashells, some brought home a fresh spirit of enthusiasm and some can’t wait to see you all again.

It is an honour to be part of such a successful and proactive dojo. Thank you to sensei Eugene who is always hands-on with our athletes and all the rules and regulations of the sport. Thank you for being such an inspiration to our athletes, young and old. Especially thank you for your time and effort you put into our athletes to become the greatest they can be.

“When it comes to performance standards, it’s not what you preach, it’s what you tolerate.” Jocko Willink

Benjamin Disraeli said: “Seeing much, suffering much, and studying much are the three pillars of learning.”  So, the more you sweat the luckier you get.

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Grading

78th Solis Ortus Grading – 25 November 2017

This weekend Solis Ortus celebrated its 78th grading, since 1978, and carved a new chapter in its history book. Grading day was a successful, positive and fruitful experience for our karatekas. We had 189 graders who succeeded their grading to the next belt level. Solis Ortus stand proud to acknowledge each individual exceled in their karate, but also how abundantly they enjoy their karate.

For some karatekas it was their first grading, for others the experience was more nerve wrecking, and of course for our senior belts, grading was an emotional roller coaster.

We started bright and early with our Mini graders (3-5 years old). They looked too cute in their karate Gi’s (suits). The minis outshined themselves in their grading course and did everything with precision, determination, loud kiais and good spirit. Oh my goodness, did they know their terminology! It is so adorable to hear them count and repeat the Japanese terminology. We are so proud of our little ninjas growing up to become great karate stars one day.  The minis are developing in a strong and well-designed karate foundation to eventually support their abilities in their karate journeys. With bliss they graded to mini yellow, mini orange and mini blue.

Our junior gradings, Yellow 1 to Blue, showed good progress and express a promising individual succeeding to higher belts. It was impressive to observe some of our white belts showing great potential as newbies on their new karate journey. Well done to all our junior graders, you have shown great growth and good spirit. Keep on growing but above all keep on enjoying your karate!

The standard of our more senior belt levels, Purple 1 to Brown, were exceptionally high. They showed more power, strength, precision and understanding what karate is all about. The 3K’s are forming a well-developed foundation as you are becoming more mature and understand the why of karate. This group have great form and stances. Well done, we are immensely proud of you all.

And then, the emotional roller coaster of nerves, excitement and pride step onto the floor. Eight karatekas graded to Kuy 3 and Kuy 2; Junior Black 2 and Junior Black 1. This grading was tough and the graders needed to prove their character and spirit to be able to pass this grading. With persistence, they all persevered. It was incredible to be an observer on the panel, as it reminded us how intense and privileged it was to grade in this group. The cream of the crop emerging to become the next Black Belt generation in Solis Ortus. Two karatekas graded to Junior Black 1 and had their last grading in the dojo and achieved the status of our next generation. We have four new Junior Black 2 karatekas. Remember: “A black belt is a white belt who never gave up!”

To all our karatekas we congratulate you on a well-deserved and brilliant grading. Without you, Solis Ortus cannot build a heritage and we are extremely proud to have you part of our club.

Thank you to our parents who dedicated their time to our karate students, who helped them to enjoy and love karate as a sport. To all our Instructors and assistant Instructors, thank you for your dedication in teaching our karatekas. Thank you to Sensei Eugene for being our role model, we look up to you and will follow your lead. There is only ONE WAY, JKA! JKA, ONE WAY!

Solis Ortus sending warm wishes to you and your family during this Christmas Season. May your home be blessed with love and happiness. If you are going away, please drive safely. See you all 8 January 2018!

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Uncategorized

GKF awards evening 2018

GKF awards evening was held Saturday evening at the Libanon Rec Club Glenharvie, Westonaria. This prestigious evening event honoured our top athletes in Gauteng Province. With more than 250 guests we had a three course dinner, live dancers, the GKF executive board members, VIP guests, of which sensei Eugene and Sandy was amongst them, and of course all our athletes.

It was overwhelming to see all athletes in one room, most dressed up for the evening and others dressed up in their green and gold. Some were our rivals once but soon we united as one team representing our Province with pride.

From west to east, north to south, Gauteng encompasses a world where everything is available. Although the smallest province in South Africa, the City of Gold did extremely well in their boundaries and therefore achieved the most medals in the country; especially gold medals.

Our Gauteng Karate President, Mr Kruben Pillay, opened the ceremony by congratulating all the athletes who have worked hard, persevered and achieved. Our honourable guest, Secretary General (CEO) at Gauteng Sports Confederation not only honoured the athletes but also stated the importance of keeping all our achievements as it will benefit us one day when applying for employment or even to get admittance at University. He also mentioned that Gauteng is the first Province who got approval for our sport places in the country, signed, approved and published on Sports data by the Minister of Sport. Soon the rest of the Provinces will follow.

He also explained how hard our Gauteng Karate President, Mr Kruben Pillay works behind the scenes to promote karate in South Africa.

Amongst those who qualified in Solis Ortus, four of our athletes namely Thirq du Preez, Savannah Hauser, Lilian Mynhardt and Heilethe Calitz were there to receive awards.  We as athletes, feel extremely proud and honoured to have achieved our rankings, and want to thank our Sensei for his time, effort and dedication he invested in us to enable us believing in ourselves and therefore reaped our rewards.

“Respect is earned.

Honesty is appreciated.

Trust is gained.

Loyalty is returned.”

HpLyrikz.com

 

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

 

 

 

 
Events

First Grading at Solis Ortus 2018

First Grading at Solis Ortus 2018

Congratulations to all our karatekas who graded this weekend. It is extremely rewarding to see how our karatekas improved and succeeded to their next belt level. Our karate standard is high and Solis Ortus stand proud to each and every one of you.

Traditionally we always start with our mini karatekas. All dressed up like little polar bears they arrived bright and early to come and show their skills to our grading panel. Adorable, sweet and with great spirit they concurred their fundamental skills examination with loud kiais and immense pride.

Well done to our future little champions, we are so proud of you!

After intense and hard training preparing for the grading, you all arose from all your fears and came prepared with determination to earn your next belt. To all our white belts who graded for the first time; well done! You all came with the utmost karate etiquette and perseverance to overcome your uncertainty of what is expected. With goose bumps and awe we solute you all. Keep up the good work, always remember the basics of your karate and you will grow into a good karateka as you grade to higher belts.

Our coloured belt groups also accomplished a higher standard in their grading and presented their karate skills with flying colours. Grading is a good measurement to improve yourself and to understand that karate basics; Kihon (basics), Kata (form) and Kumite (sparring) are the foundation of good karate in the future. During grading you get measured of how you have developed in your current belt, and then be recognised for your progress, and the reward is to succeed to the next belt level.

The higher belt groups, brown and up gradings are much more intense and on a different level as for the coloured belts. Endurance, competence, technique, fitness and perseverance are key to this level grading. Solis Ortus is immeasurably proud of the standard of our senior belt groups. You earned every stripe on your belt and deserved to be promoted to your next level. Solis Ortus is building a strong history in developing good karatekas for the future.

This year Solis Ortus is celebrating a rich history of 40 years. We have added to this history the first free fighting event in our Special needs division at SA JKA Nationals. To top this achievement we have graded one of our special needs karatekas, James van Zyl, for the last time in the dojo to Junior Black. His next grading will be Shodan. James, we are extremely proud of you. You have excelled in so many ways as a karateka, and achieved the highest ranking in Solis Ortus history. We wish you all the best and luck on your karate journey and are looking forward to celebrate with you your Shodan grading.

As always, Sensei Eugene and his team of instructors and assistance were well prepared and on schedule with the grading program. Thank you to all our parents for your support and to all our karatekas for your loyalty, etiquette and performance on grading day.

Be proud, frame your achievements, not everyone has a karate belt. Never ever give up. The more we learn, the more I realize how much we have to learn. Remember karate is a journey, black belt is not the destination, it is the start.

Karate builds our character, and with a strong character you can achieve anything in life.

We cannot wait to see you all in your new belts!

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Events

SA JKA Nationals 2018

What a weekend. Solis Ortus competed at SA JKA Nationals in Johannesburg, and at the Africa Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region 5 karate championships in Gaborone, Botswana.

This year’s SA JKA Nationals competition, featuring karatekas from all the Provinces in South Africa, was held at the Ellis Park Indoor Events Arena on 25 – 26 May 2018. All our karate athletes prepared well over the past months, and showed up in their masses to achieve greatness. SA JKA Nationals is a huge event every year, but this year it was massive with plus minus 3500 competitors.

The arena was vibrant with songs of the nation and provincial teams rivalling against the other in their numbers. The mornings were extremely early for our early birds attending meetings and to get ready before the masses arrive. Gauteng was well organised with their team sitting ready in their categories on the arena.

Expectations ran high for the day while watching the demonstration from our black belts from the Honbu, performing an immaculate Tekki Sandan, synchronized as one person. The kumite routine was coordinated to show the stages of a black belt. We all stood in awe and with goose bumps all over.

We as Solis Ortus karatekas, representing our provincial team Gauteng, are overwhelmed with excitement, enthusiasm, nerves and an expectancy to achieve our National colours and to qualify for the Africa Cup in September. For some of us, this will be the first time to represent our country on an International level.

As always, our club was well represented as coaches, referees, judges and table officials at this prestigious event. Solis Ortus entered into 153 events where some of our students qualified for their National colours in both kata and kumite, and others, one of the two.

On Friday our Novice team, White to Red belts, competed in their divisions where most of our karatekas medalled and achieved their National colours. Medal or not, you are a winner! You worked hard, walked the extra mile, by training week after week and came prepared for the battle. You showed your karate spirit on the floor and still persevered. That makes you a WINNER. Always remember what defines a winner.

“Winning doesn’t always mean being first. Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve ever done before.” —Bonnie Blair

For the first time in the history of SA JKA Nationals, our Special Needs division announced a free fighting division. With pride Solis Ortus also made history on the day as the only 2 karatekas in that division, was from our dojo. What a fight guys….well done! Click on the link to watch the fight.

“Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.” Dan Gable

On Saturday our Elite team competed to be selected into the Africa Cup in September. This category was intensely huge and the competition extremely competitive. Most categories contained 3-5 different belt levels in one group for the selection. Some categories took hours to finish; and yet, we all waited with determination and good spirit our turn. Solis Ortus did extremely well and most of our students got selected to represent South Africa in the Africa Cup. Congratulations to those who got selected.

To all our medallists, well done and well deserved. Some of your categories exceeded 20 competitors and more. Yet, you prevailed and accomplished your dream to become a winner.

Ditto sensei Sandy; quote un-quote: “Our dearest students, how awesome are you all. You are all champions because you showed up for extra classes, you are all champions because you entered the arena with fear, nerves and excitement and you are all champions because you stepped onto the tatami  and you did YOUR best.

Congratulations for making us all tremendously proud!!!!!

Next year we do it again!”

Yes, yes and yes!

But first, we wish all our students the best of luck for grading on Saturday, 2nd June 2018. You worked hard to receive your next belt level. Stay focussed and do your best.

To all our students who are writing exams, best of luck for your exams. Stay focused, prepare in advance, sleep well, practice and stay healthy.

After all is done, rest well and get ready to start preparing for the Africa Cup in September.

One way, JKA! JKA, one way!

 

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

 

 
Events

AUSC Region 5 Karate Championship

Gaborone is an energetic and inviting city that is bursting out of a nutshell. The tolerant mind-set of Gaborone originated from the gathering of the many different cultures and the thousands strong individual minds. The beautification of the edginess inspires, provokes opportunities and creates an intersection where two extremes meet each other and therefore become inexpressible.

Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola, Zambia and Mozambique were the invited countries who participated in the AUSC Region 5 Karate Championship. Gaborone, capital city of Botswana, hosted the tournament on 24 – 26 May 2018 at the Boipuso Hall, Fairgrounds. The Boipuso Hall, also known as Botswana International Conference and Exhibitions Centre, is a multi-purpose arena and can accommodate 12 000 spectators. The Boipuso Hall can accommodate 2000 spectators.

Overall South Africa did extremely well. South African karate shone in Gaborone as our participants displayed a high standard, good karate and competitiveness throughout the tournament.

South Africa was represented by 51 competitors all over the country, and received a total of 6 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals in the kata division. In the kumite division we received 12 gold, 17 silver and 4 bronze medals. Overall South Africa received 44 medals and placed third in the AUSC Region 5 Karate Championship. Botswana, the overall winner won 95 medals and Namibia, who came second won 68 medals in total.

Out of the 51 competitors, Solis Ortus had 2 participants who represented South Africa in Gaborone. After getting on the City Liner on Wednesday late morning, they left for the border and got safe and sound in Gaborone after a long 9 hour trip.

Solis Ortus is extremely proud of Savannah Hauser who received a silver medal and Thirq du Preez who received a bronze medal in kumite. These two karatekas showed exceptional sportsmanship and good karate etiquette. This trip developed your character as karatekas, introduced you to the virtues of team spirit and teaches you to be humble in victory. All your hard work paid off and you came home victoriously.

Celebrate your successes, embrace it and grow into it as humble karatekas.

“Competing at the highest level is not about winning. It’s about preparation, courage, understanding and nurturing your people, and heart. Winning is the result.” —Joe Torre

You both reflected this quote excellently. Well done, and good luck for your next tournament.

 

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

 

 

 

 

Events

Arnold Classic 2018

The Arnold Classic sport and fitness extravaganza returns to South Africa for the third time and it promises to be an even more spectacular expression of the vision of its co-founder, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

It is an opportunity to participate, spectate or compete, with over 50 sports and their organising federations showcasing their top talent and creating opportunity for public participation across three energy-filled days; from Friday, 18 May to Sunday 20 May 2018 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Interestingly Sandton is known as the wealthiest square mile in Africa. The Sandton Convention Centre is the leading, most esteemed convention centre and exhibition resource in South Africa.

With 12 floors and over 22 000 square metres of space available, the Sandton Convention Centre has a gigantic capacity to be the supreme hosting place for such a respected event as the ACA.

In a cold Johannesburg, Solis Ortus came prepared with our KSA athletes to participate in the prestigious Arnold Classic Sports Festival 2018. Our karatekas are passionate about their karate and without knowing it, are actually the leaders in creating a karate platform that can have a great influence in our country and the world to be a better place. Although karate is a global sport, over 200 countries, and affiliated to World Karate Federation (WKF); it finally is elevated to OLYMPIC status – Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018. What an honour and privilege to be part of such an opportunity.

On Friday our Solis Ortus champs weighed-in for their kumite divisions on Saturday. On Friday Solis Ortus received 2 bronze medals in the kata divisions.

Most of our karatekas competed on Saturday. “The kumite divisions were lethal, fast and furious”, as one parent described the event. Solis Ortus prevailed and achieved 4 medals; 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze.

Congratulations to two Solis Ortus karatekas who qualified for the finals on Sunday. Sunday started off with a training session where the top four KSA athletes and international athletes trained together. With the help of our coaches, sensei Eugene and other top coaches trained with the team and represented South Africa on an International level. Solis Ortus is proud of sensei Eugene and wish him all the success in his karate endeavours.

After a long, hard and competitive weekend, we can celebrate with our 7 champs a total of 6 medals.

Congratulations to all our karatekas. Solis Ortus is extremely proud and wishing you all a prosperous karate journey. You all worked so hard for this moment, embrace it, enjoy it and learn from tournament to tournament. Improve yourself to become the best of the best.

We salute you all!

 

Written by: Heilethe Calitz