Senshi dojo

🥋 Gratitude to Kenwyn Martial Arts Centre

This past weekend, our dojo had the privilege of competing at the KMAC Karate & Kobudo Invitational Tournament, hosted by Kenwyn Martial Arts Centre. We extend heartfelt thanks to them for organizing such a friendly, well‑run, and spirited event. The atmosphere was welcoming, the competition fierce yet respectful, and the camaraderie between dojos truly inspiring.

🌟 Student Achievements

Each of our students gave their best and represented our dojo with pride:

• Mia Laubscher
🥇 1st – Kobudo Long Weapons
🥇 1st – Kobudo Short Weapons
🥈 2nd – Kata
🥈 2nd – Shobu Sanbon Kumite

• Izak Krige
🥇 1st – Kobudo Long Weapons
🥉 3rd – Kata
5th – Kobudo Short Weapons
9th – Shobu Nihon Kumite

• Taylor Engelbracht
🥇 1st – Kata
🥉 3rd – Kobudo Long Weapons
5th – Shobu Sanbon Kumite

• Retief Spence
🥈 2nd – Kobudo Long Weapons
4th – Kata
6th – Kobudo Short Weapons
9th – Shobu Sanbon Kumite

• Lukas Krige
🥉 3rd – Kata
4th – Kobudo Short Weapons
5th – Shobu Sanbon Kumite
5th – Kobudo Long Weapons

• Roman Hough
🥉 3rd – Shobu Nihon Kumite
5th – Kata

• Alicea Hough
🥉 3rd – Kata

• Jano Hanekom
5th – Shobu Nihon Kumite
6th – Kata

Every placement reflects dedication, discipline, and growth.

🏆 Dojo Standing

Our dojo proudly secured 7th place overall in the academy rankings, with a strong medal tally of 4 Gold, 3 Silver, and 5 Bronze. This achievement highlights the collective effort of our students and coaches, proving that teamwork and spirit are as important as individual victories.

🌟 Mia’s Top 10 Recognition

A special congratulations to Mia Laubscher, who earned 2nd position in the Top 10 Individuals leaderboard across all competitors. Her consistency, skill, and determination set a shining example for the entire dojo.

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✨ “In karate, every medal is a milestone, and every challenge is a lesson. We don’t lose — we learn.”

We are deeply grateful to Kenwyn Martial Arts Centre for hosting this memorable tournament, and we look forward to many more opportunities to grow, compete, and celebrate the spirit of karate together.

Being a Sensei means...it is never about you...

Many years ago, when I decided to open my own dojo, I was given some of the best advice about being a "Sensei" from the man who would become my actual Sensei several years later.

Eddie Bethea Kyoshi was someone I had known since I was a little kid going to tournaments. Over the years he became a mentor first, and eventually my own Sensei. Not a day goes by that I don't appreciate that our paths crossed again and that I eventually joined the ranks of his amazing students.

He told me, "When you teach others, they don't care about you, your background, or your greatness. All they care about is how much you help them learn, improve, and become great at their Karate. It is always about what they can do, never about what you can do."

Sound advice? Absolutely.

What Sensei meant was that no matter how many titles I may have won, no matter what rank I have earned, and no matter what I can demonstrate...the student is the entire focus when you teach, never you.

Some years later, while attending a rather large seminar, I noticed that very few of the instructors were actually teaching. How so? Most of them were talking about their backgrounds and accomplishments. They were, in a nutshell, trying to impress the people who had paid to learn from them.

Almost immediately my mind went back to what Sensei had told me, and I realized that, in some ways, many people who teach martial arts may have missed that lesson entirely.

The way I see it, once I accept someone as a student, nothing about me is important anymore. Everything is about teaching them.

It isn't about how well I can perform a Kata...it is about making them great at it. It doesn't matter how good I am at fighting...it is about teaching them to become better than I ever was. It doesn't matter how solid my self-defense ability is...it is about making sure I teach them properly so they can use those skills if they are ever needed.

When I would go on vacation, I often found a local school to visit and, if permitted, participate in class. Many times, the instructor was putting on a show. Everything was about them and how great they were. It always reminded me that those things don't matter.

What does matter is keeping the focus entirely on the students, helping them improve, and helping them grow.

Even today, when I am invited to teach a seminar, I talk very little. We get right into training. It is never about how good I am at doing something...it is about making them better while I am teaching them.

I have never liked being a show-off, which is one reason competing has always been difficult for me. I would rather be teaching than out there trying to prove how good I am. Yes, I still compete to this day, but even then, I am the guy cheering on my fellow competitors and clapping for them when they finish.

Quite simply, I believe the best example I can set is not in what I perform at that moment, but in how I treat other people.

The only thing that matters to me as a Sensei is the students. I don't care how well I can do something...I care about how well I can help them do it. I don't need accolades for what I accomplish, but I make sure my students receive them when they achieve something.

The Sensei is the teacher. The students are always the priority.

Teaching them is not about me...it is, and always will be, about them.

Newsletter July

Hierdie twee dogters staan vir niks of niemand terug nie!
Welgedaan, julle twee! Ons is trots op julle!

A true black belt is defined by character, not by the color of a belt. While many people focus on fighting ability, experienced martial artists understand that the highest achievement in karate is personal growth. A genuine black belt stays humble despite their accomplishments, controls emotions when situations become difficult, and treats others with respect regardless of rank. They help beginners, accept criticism without becoming defensive, and never believe they have learned everything. Instead of demanding respect, they earn it through consistent training, positive leadership, and the example they set for others. When pressure, adversity, or conflict arises, they remain calm and composed, demonstrating the discipline and maturity that years of karate training are meant to develop. Ultimately, a true black belt is not recognized by what they can do to others, but by the values they display every day both inside and outside the dojo.