Witpoortjie Recreational Centre’s Ken To Fude No Karate Ryu is back in action after the festive season break. Although the karatekas were rusty, senpai Lesego Ratala has been putting them through their paces to ensure they are fighting fit for the new year.
“At this time of the year it is back to basics and training to refresh their bodies after the long break. We start with warm-ups and perfecting some of the things the students tackled towards the end of last year. Although a long break is never good, the onus is on the students to keep themselves fit during such a time,” said senpai Lesego.
The club not only instils principles such as hard work, discipline, perseverance and to face challenges ahead, but to also have fun. In just a year and a half, the club’s highest graded student is Nikita Green who is an advanced green belt. She will be eligible for her brown belt this year.
“There are a myriad of ways to conduct karate classes and I have my own approach. Although the martial arts itself is steeped in a long history of strict discipline, sometimes that way of teaching does not always work. As an instructor you must find ways to instil the way of karate but still leave room for the students to have fun and enjoy themselves. We have to remember we are not creating soldiers but the future of karate. That is why my students are always smiling, no matter how hard the sessions may be. I am happy at how far each of my students have come and the club is becoming stronger each day,” said senpai Lesego.
At 13 years old, Harold Dick who is an advanced yellow belt and who started training karate last year, said he finds the martial art exciting.
“At first it was because I wanted to become fit and healthy but then I grew to love karate, especially learning the different kata and kumite. Karate has taught me a lot and I want to keep training and learning so I can achieve my black belt,” he said.
The karate club also has father-and-son duo Andrè and Ruan de Lange as members. They joined last year as a way to learn self-defence.
“It is also another way for us to bond and spend quality time together. We are both at yellow belt but my son is now advancing at a rapid pace. Karate is a martial art that I would recommend because you learn so much about yourself. We both enjoy it immensely,” said Andrè.
Senpai Lesego now aims to enter his students in competitions to gain more experience.
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