Over two consecutive weekends this month senior students at International Martial Arts Academy displayed their perseverance, skill, and dedication as they undertook their black belt gradings in both karate and kickboxing.
After an intense eight-hour Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate (OGKK) grading, Emma Wynjeterp was awarded OGKK Nidan (2nd Dan); Diaan van Staden achieved OGKK Shodan (1st Dan); and Ruan Potgieter attained OGKK Junior Shodan.
Four kickboxing students faced a gruelling grading, presented by Shihan Natasha Wagener, head of Dynamic Mixed Fighting (DMF) Kickboxing in George.
DMF is one of only two kickboxing styles authorized to issue WAKO-certified Dan gradings. The test involved several kilometers of running, 10 rounds of skipping and fitness, an hour of bag work, an hour of continuous fighting, and the final Shark Cage endurance challenge.
Kickboxing achievers from the academy were Dylan Badenhorst, awarded Kickboxing Sandan (3rd Dan); Morgan van Nooy, earned Kickboxing Nidan (2nd Dan); Ruan Potgieter, achieved Kickboxing Junior Shodan (1st Dan); and Ruan van Zyl was awarded Kickboxing Black Belt.
“To put this in perspective, fewer than 1% of all martial arts students ever make it to a Dan level, and only 0.04% reach the esteemed rank of 5th Dan. Earning a black belt is a testament to years of training, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the art. Reaching this level is no small feat, and exemplifies what it means to dedicate oneself fully to the martial arts,” says sensei Nicolette Morrison-Hagen from the academy.
