Karateka earns junior black belt with outstanding grading performance
According to his sensei, Jordan has always excelled at what he does, and holds a deep love for judo.
Thirteen-year-old karateka, Jordan Samuels, qualified for his junior black belt at a grading ceremony at Randburg Shotokan Academy on Saturday, 30 October.
Jordan started his judo training at the tender age of six. Since moving over to the Randburg Shotokan Academy’s Honeydew Ridge base at Leap Nursery School, he has trained for three years under Sensei Prishen Pillay, who is currently on his 5th Dan.
According to Prishen, Jordan has always excelled at what he does, and holds a deep love for his karate. “From a young age, Jordan has always been an achiever, excelling in school and anything he put his mind to,” he said. “He has immense passion for karate and this is shown daily. He embodies the principles instilled through karate.”
After the grading ceremony on Saturday, 30 October, Jordan became the third of 13 students at the Academy to achieve his black belt. Jordan’s preparation for his examination began at the beginning of the year, when stringent and repetitive practice of the examination syllabus prescribed by the International Shotokan Karate Federation – South Africa (ISKFSA) was mastered.
ISKFSA chief instructor and regional director, Sensei San Pillay, 8th Dan, presided as examiner at the grading where the students were asked to complete fixed Khion (Basics), Kata (Form) and Kumite (Sparring) routines. The students’ score must be an above average tally to be promoted to the next belt level but this is only one aspect of achieving the belt. Other aspects are memory, athletic performance, technical skill, experience on the floor, commitment and dedication.
Jordan excelled on all of these fronts as he put on an outstanding performance at the examination and secured an above average score to secure his junior black belt. Jordan will be hoping to reach his senior black belt three years from now, when he turns 16.
If you’d like more information on the work that Randburg Shotokan Academy does, such as self-defence classes and special classes at schools, you can contact Sensei Prishen Pillay on 083 785 4269.
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