Seinsei Quentin Rourke, owner of the Shotokan Karate Academy, attained his 7th Dan with honours during the World Shotokan Karate-Do Federation (WSKF) on 17 and 18 November in Japan.
He returned as the WSKF world champion for the men’s U49 kumite category.
Another member of the local academy, Sandile Makwali, graded for his 5th Dan and received a bronze medal in the U75 kg men’s open and a silver medal in his age group for veteran men, 35 to 39 years.
Other members that excelled at the international championships in respective categories are:
- Sam Loftus achieved bronze in boys 12 years’ kumite;
- Bridget Otto won gold in the youth ladies’ kumite, and silver in the youth ladies’ kata:
- Katlego Nhlapo won bronze in the junior girls 14 to 15 years’ kumite;
- Robert Biggs won silver in the boys 11 years’ kata;
- Robert Rijkheer won gold in the boys 11 years’ kumite;
- Ehart Conrade won bronze in the cadet men’s kumite;
- Robert Biggs, Robert Rijkheer and Sam Loftus won silver in the boys’ team kumite;
- Johanco Greyvenstein, Ethan Rourke and Juan Breedt won gold in the youth team kumite;
- Yolanda van Rooyen, Bridget Otto and Katli Nhlapo won bronze in the women’s team kumite; and
- Ehart Conradie, Damon Jardim and Sandile Makgwali won bronze in the men’s team kumite category.
