The year of 2008 was a special year but also a sad one for all of us in Funakoshi Karate. We were happy that our colleagues from Funakoshi Karate Australia visited us in June/July. But with deep sadness we lost Sensei Mark Beagle to cancer this year. This was a tremendous shock to all of us. He was a very special person, a wonderful karateka and Instructor and a dear friend to many. We will always carry him within our hearts.

Steve Botes Sensei and Rita Botes Sensei resigned from Funakoshi Karate earlier during 2008. They were made honorary members of Funakoshi Karate South Africa. Gavin Reynolds Sensei was co-opted onto the Management Committee of Funakoshi Karate South Africa and Funakoshi Karate International Federation, taking the place of Steve Botes. I wish to thank the management committee for their dedicated work and support and am looking forward to working with them in 2009.

A National Instructors workshop was held in February at the Vital Health Head Office in Brackenfell, Cape Town. Black Belts and senior1st kyu Brown Belts were allowed to attend the seminar. Present at the seminar were:
Shihan Sanette Smit (WP)
Senseis Florence Harding (WP)
Chrissi Smith (WP)
Karen Johnson (WP)
Gavin Reynolds (WP)
Birgitt Smit (Boland )
Gert Smit (Boland)
Maria Wayne (Boland)
Karen van Heerden (Northern Natal)
Deon Claassen (Northern Natal)
Pierre Spies (KZN)
Marguerite Esterhuizen (WP)
Brendon Koopman (WP)
Mike smeda (WP)
Jonathan Bevan (WP)
Christo Botha (KZN)
Sandra Lamprecht (WP)
Mark Beagle (Gauteng )

The day seminar was a success once again. An interesting part of the seminar was the gym session that was done by all. Manuals and certificates were given to all present. Lunch and refreshments were provided and a big thank you to Sensei Florence who organized the seminar.

Senseis Deon Claassen and Leanne Claassen did a WKF judges/referees course and wrote their exams in September in Natal. Both achieved their Provincial Judge A Referee qualification . Sensei Deon then graded in October at the KSA Children Championships in Bloemfontein to National Judge A kumite.

The Funakoshi Karate International Federation championships was hosted by Funakoshi Karate Western cape on the 28th of June 2008 at the Somerset House Preparatory School, Lourensford Road, Somerset West, Boland.
Funakoshi Karate Australia entered a team of 45 athletes into the championship. South Africa entered a team of 130 athletes. The march was at 9h00 and there was a special dedication to the Australia team of the local song 'Welcome to Cape Town' .
Special awards were made to Chris Botha Kancho, George Harris Shihan, Sanette Smit Shihan and Frank Mckenzie Sensei. The tournament ended at 20h00. There was good sportsmanship shown and excellent camaraderie between South Africa and Australia.

South Africa won medals in kata : 15 Gold, 18 Silver, 29 Bronze.
And in kumite : 17 Gold, 13 Silver, 15 Bronze.
Australia on medals in kata : 5 Gold, 2 Silver, 11 Bronze.
And in kumite: 2 Gold, 6 Silver, 4 Bronze.

Bravo Seminar 2008

This semninar is only open to 1st Dans and above, and was held at the Lanzerac Hotel Stellenbosch on Sunday 29th June 2008.

The South Africans were excited to have black belts from the touring Funakoshi Karate Australia team present. The Australians had attended the Funakoshi International Championships in Somerset West on Saturday 28th June.

The programme, as always, was packed with interesting sessions designed to widen the karatekas' horizons and encourage them to hold on to the traditional values and history of the style as well as think outside the box.

The day ended with a drumming session, thoroughly enjoyed by all. The weekend concluded with an evening at Moyo (Spier, Stellenbosch) where the juniors karateka and everyone's partners and family joined in the celebrations.

Gushkus were held in the Northern Natal Province in Newcastle the weekend of the 24/26 October 2008. Karen van Heerden Sensei opened up the gushku to all the Provinces. Chris Botha Kancho and George Harris Shihan also attended the gushku as well as a group of karateka from Durban. Funakoshi Karate Western Cape held their gushku the weekend of the 11th of October 2008 in Gordons Bay. Sanette Smit Shihan , Black Belts and lower grades attended the gushku.

Black Belt gradings were held in April, October and November. The following karateka achieved their grade:

A group of Black Belts from Funakoshi Karate Australia graded in Cape Town in June 2008.

ALL STYLES CHAMPIONSHIPS

TOURNAMENTS

WKF 19TH SENIOR KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, TOKYO, JAPAN

Sanette Smit Shihan attended the WKF Gender Equity Committee Meeting in Tokyo, Japan on the 11th of November 2008 as well as the WKF Congress which was held on the 12th of November 2008. She also attended the 19th WKF Senior Karate Championships from the 13th of November - 16 November 2008 which was held at the Bodukan Martial Arts Centre in Tokyo, Japan. A separate report on Japan was distributed to the Funakoshi Karate Chief Instructors and Management Committee and International affiliates.