Mossel Bay dojo holds Randori event and grading
As another year draws to a close, we look back on 2023 with pride and satisfaction.
As a dojo and community, we have achieved much in the way of developing in our dedication and passion for our sport and service thereof.
Over the past few weeks, we have been busy with events such as the final 100-round randori, which we had the privilege of sharing with another dojo, Shotokan ZA joined Karate Do International - Mossel Bay dojo lead by Sensei Vernon Petersen for the first time. We hope for future Randori events they will join us again. Randori is a term used in Japanese martial arts to describe free-style practice (sparring). The term denotes an exercise applying technique to a random succession of attacks. We plan for 2024 to invite further fellow dojos to join, we are very excited to integrate during these events.
The 100-round Randori is a very challenging and gruelling test of endurance and skill.
One of the many important lessons one can learn during randori is when and how to control your strikes to ensure efficiency and accuracy, remembering one must remain focused and calm even under intense pressure and physical exertion, teaching the student to think with clarity even in moments of chaos.
Having the opportunity to carry out this event with the company of another dojo, we were able to observe how other students execute their sport, show discipline, respect and endurance as welcomed guests in our most sacred dojo.
Certainly an excellent opportunity to work together and experience each other's etiquette, ultimately broadening our knowledge of our sport and how to practice it to the best of our ability, as individuals and a
community.
The students were invited to the grading and all students made progress to higher belts, along with their dedication and commitment.
Finally, we held our prize giving on Monday, 4 December, a very warm evening. The dojo was full of the students' excited family and friends, all gathering to recognise and celebrate each student's achievements throughout the year.
Among the new trophies introduced, sensei revealed the Senpia trophy to the collection, this is an instructor's trophy. In 2024 sensei will open up short instructor courses to senior belts, so that they can assist in class while they achieve their higher belts, preparing them for greater and future developments in their life.
Special thanks go to one of our most dedicated senior students Jaco Viljoen for his contribution to our impressive floating trophy collection.
Thanks to Hartenbos River Resort for the space shared with us, to the parents for their dedication to committing to bringing their children to the dojo and encouraging their training, to the students who take the time to learn, practise and hone their skills, to the senior students who assist and help in class and lastly to Sensei Christopher Smuts, who has taken on the responsibility of training the students from Karate-Do International Mossel Bay Dojo at Van Riebeeck Stadium.
For 2024 we look forward to preparing to expand the dojo by means of additional training courses, such as the instructor courses and potentially even a larger premises to accommodate more students.