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Competition, Events, Kumite, Results

KPC athletes perform at KSA Nationals

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Solis Ortus Karate Performance Centre (KPC) athletes cleaned up the medals at the Karate South Africa (KSA) Nationals held in Durban over the weekend of 5 to 7 March.

Eugene Oosthuizen sensei arrived in Durban on Thursday to prepare. The KPC highlights started with the coaches and referees meeting and training course on Friday. He, along with other coaches and refs, wrote exams on kata and kumite. Eugene sensei once again excelled, passing the kumite exam with a 98% mark, and the kata exam with 92%.

Eugene sensei with other coaches

On Friday afternoon, Eugene sensei held an informal KPC training session on the beach at Umdloti. The athletes trained hard, yet got the chance to relax before the action on Saturday and Sunday. They even had a dip in the sea before and after each day’s training.

Thriq du Preez training with one of the KPC parents, Robbie Brazelle
Karate training KPC style – on the beach
Fun in the waves after training

KPC entered nine athletes in the children’s division (7-13 years) and cadette division (14-15 years) that took place on Saturday and Sunday respectively. All nine athletes medaled and became National Champions!

In the children’s division on Saturday (which continued on Sunday), Eben Millard, Franco Vertue, Shiloh Verreyne Roos, Anica Myburgh, Ethan Brazelle, and Isabelle Esterhuizen all received gold medals, Jean van der Westhuizen took a silver, and Pieter Jordaan came in with a bronze. In the cadette division on Sunday, Thirq du Preez took  gold.

Eugene sensei and Thriq du Preez
Eugene sensei and Pieter Jordaan
Eugene sensei and Eben Millard
Eugene sensei and Anika Myburg (left) and Shiloh Verreyne Roos (right)
From left – Juan van der Westhuizen, Isabelle Esterhuizen, Eben Millard
Eugene sensei and Franco Vertue

Well done to Eugene sensei and all the KPC athletes. You made us proud yet again. Shows that dedication, effort, and great teachers pays!

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