What a privilege to train with 2 sharp and true JKA karatekas at the Solis Ortus dojo; Lorenzo Helena and Melanie Marchbank. They are used to hard training as they are members of the Honbu. Solis Ortus made them feel welcome as there is no other way they train themselves. As they say: “the more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle.”

Sensei Eugene is an opponent of great respect as he himself has years of experience and understanding how to train kumite and be a winner. He was SAJKA Men’s Open Kumite champ multiple times.

Melanie Marchbank CA (SA) and a Godan, has a host of achievements in karate, her most recent has been in October 2014 at the Funakoshi Gichin Cup 13th Karate World Championship Tournament in Tokyo Japan; where she fought in the final eight female individual kumite section.

Lorenzo Helena CA (SA) and a Yondan, also competed at the Funakoshi Gichin Cup 13th Karate World Championship Tournament in Tokyo Japan; where he competed in the top16 in the Men’s Kata division.

After a hard kumite class we wish both of them good luck to reach and achieve all their karate dreams for 2017. SO is looking forward to train with them again.

Written by: Heilethe Calitz