GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - A strong contingent of karatekas from Knysna and Plettenberg Bay recently returned from the SA JKA National Championships in Johannesburg having represented Western Province.

The JKA (Japan Karate Association) is the largest group of Shotokan Karate practitioners in the world, and the South African JKA boasts the largest group of highly qualified instructors outside of Japan.

Some of the most talented karatekas that belong to the SA JKA just happen to hail from Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, with a group of 11 hailing from the areas returning from the national championships having earned championship medals.

The team of 11 karatekas represented Western Province at the SA JKA National Championships on 24 and 25 May and comprised of Minesh Thandryan, Lua Alves, Gabriella Kennedy, Sherquille Jaftha, Jordyn Orpen, Luke Levin, Whinny Orpen, Connor Cox, Eli de Clerq, Sebastian Claassen, and Luca Lutolf. The students weren't the only ones who were awarded for their efforts, as Knysna resident and the students' karate instructor, John Peach recently passed the stringent 5th Dan rank examinations.

His examination came under the auspices of the JKA (Japan Karate Association) International Black Belt Examination Panel and was awarded the 5th Dan (GODAN) certificate at the same national championships mentioned above.

Sensei John has some 45 years of karate experience, and is the head instructor at the SA JKA Karate dojos in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

A portion of the Knysna-Plett contingent that travelled to Johannesburg. From left: Instructor John Peach, Minesh Thandryan, Lua Alves, Gabriella Kennedy, Sherquille Jaftha, Jordyn Orpen, Luke Levin, Whinny Orpen, and Coach Natasha McKelvin. Photo: Supplied.

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