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EVENT CO-ORDINATOR - KARYN SMITH - 5th DAN - KARATE (SHOTOKAN )
Karyn was a late starter, only beginning her karate career at the age of 30. She was awarded her 5th dan in 2015 and is now a full time karate and Self Defence for Women instructor. Karyn has competed internationally on many occasions winning several medals and titles and is still an active competitor. She was awarded senior SA JKA and Protea Colours on several occasions and as well as being a competitor at three JKA World Championships (2000, 2004 and 2006) and was also appointed as a Junior coach for the event in 2011 and a judge in 2017. |
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KATHARYNA ARAUJO - BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU
Katharyna is 25 years old and says "I started training to lose weight because I used to be bullied at school so I decided to change my lifestyle and here I am!". Katharyna is a highly successful practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and self defense and is a two time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu world champion. She is also an MMA fighter and works as a stunt artist. |
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KATJA BRUWER - JUDO
Katja started judo 44 years ago. Judo is her passion and she is a full time coach on the West Rand and Chairperson of West Rand Judo Association. Katja won the SA Senior Champs as well as National Trials and represented SA abroad. She is 2 x Gold medalist at Zone 6 Competition and won a silver medal at the International Judo Federation ( IJF) World Championship for Veterans, and won Bronze and Silver medals at African Senior Kata Championships. Katja was selected as a coach for Judo SA and has toured with the National Cadet and Junior teams. She was also selected as one of the coaches that attended 2018 Region V Youth Games in Botswana with Team SA Judo Team |
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DEBBIE HOWES - KUNG FU
Debbie is a Clinical Psychologist who has had an interest in the martial arts since she was 18. She began with Aikido followed by Tai chi, Shaolin Kung Fu, Wushu and Wing Chun. She developed a speciality act incorporating Kung Fu, dance and gymnastics. She travelled the world for 6 years performing in Taiwan, Japan and many other countries. Debbie has won a silver medal in the senior section of the Wushu competition in 2014. She has subsequently trained Kung Fu with Sifu Mark van den Berg for 8 years doing Jow Ga, which is infused with Hung Ga, White Crane and long fist, as well as Yang Style Tai Chi. |
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MARY JAMIESON - KARATE (GOJU)
Mary has excelled at many different sports in addition to karate. She is currently a 3rd Dan Black belt and holds Karate-Do international Instructor Certification, B.A.A (Basic ambulance assistant) Netcare Traumalink. She is a certified-ETA Personal Trainer as well as Pilates Matwork- FitPro. In addition to her 2 years Bachelor of Education at Wits University she is also Sports Strength and Conditioning certified- ISSA Personal. |
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JENNIFER MATIBI - BOXING
Jennifer is a boxing coach at "Fight with Insight", which is an organization for young people in the inner city that ensures change is implemented through boxing. She has been part of Fight with Insight since the age of 14 years old. In 2018 she won a silver medal for the under 60kg SA championships and in the same year got the opportunity to compete in Brazil. She is currently using her boxing skills to get more young women more involved in combat sports and out of the dangerous inner city. |
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KELSEY NAIRN - KRAV MAGA
At 19 years old, Kelsey was violently attacked by a gang in the Western Cape. Krav Maga became the solace she needed for real healing. Kelsey has been specializing in training the women’s classes. She believes that the fight against gender based violence in South Africa starts when a women makes the choice to learn how to defend herself. The methods, skills, and techniques that she teaches have been specifically curated to effectively combat the dangers women face daily. Relying mainly on self-awareness and body-movements, the fast-acting techniques not only defend you against the threat of violence, assault and rape but protect the lives of your loved ones, too. |
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SARAH O'DONNELL - KICKBOXING
Sarah has been involved in martial arts, particularly kickboxing for the past 17 years. She started her training in the UK learning kickboxing and Kung Fu in one unique system. She fought for England in 2013 in Italy at the World Championships winning Bronze. Due to injuries she was unable to continue fighting at that level and in 2013 moved back to South Africa where she opened up her own Club, Alberton Chinese Kickboxing. She also runs women's self-defence workshops helping women feel empowered and confident. |
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JOLENE PALMER - YOGA
Jolene has been doing yoga for most of her life. Teaching for 8 years, at gyms, corporates, privately and her own studio. Yoga has become her prana – the air she breathes and the food she eats. Jolene's goal is to improve the quality of life for all those whom attend her classes. She is dedicated to promoting expanded consciousness, healing, and growth in individuals. She believes consistent yoga practice will leave you feeling rejuvenated and inspired, creating a calm and peaceful mind, an open and compassionate heart, and a strong feeling of self-acceptance through transformative classes in a supportive and professional space that is fun, physically challenging, and contemplative |
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JOHANNA SEKGWELEA - TAEKWONDO
Johanna is a 3rd Dan black belt in Taekwondo, and a director, founder, and senior instructor at JAST Academy. She is Secretary General of the South African Taekwondo Federation. Johanna started Taekwondo at the age of 13 and is a former national team athlete of South Africa. Johanna has been a provincial, local and national champion of the 49kg weight from 2006 to 2019 when she retired as an athlete to pursue her coaching career in Taekwondo. Johanna also runs a non-profit company called JAST Community Development which focuses on empowering and teaching women self-defence, grooming and training children in Taekwondo and helping the elderly with fitness. |
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CHARLENE STOPFORTH - 5th DAN - KARATE (SHOTOKAN)
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XANIA SWART - MUAY THAI
Xania started martial arts in 1999 and is a licensed Muay Thai and kickboxing instructor who earned her SA colours for kickboxing in 2006 and K1 Full Contact (2009). She has won several medals including SA Champ Muay Thai Full Contact (2008), WTKA World Champs Full Contact Muay Thai 2008, WTKA Kickboxing Light (2008), Gauteng North Champ and colours (2010), Black-White belt Muay Thai (2010). Martial arts is both a mission and a passion for her and her goal is to teach women and children to defend themselves. |
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LUIZE TATTLE - ZUMBA
Luize is a 47 year old Passionista who implemented Zumba Fitness as part of an innovative Wellness Strategy at one of South Africa's largest trade unions, with much success. She lives dance as part of her own fitness studio where the Sassy Salsa and Sizzling Samba forms a part of the exciting fitness choreography that shakes-up daily workouts at Krotoa Health and Dance in Eden Park, Alberton. Luize uses the benefits of fitness to educate the elderly on the risks of an inactive lifestyle. She also shares her knowledge of karate with children through weekly Junior Fitness classes to instill confidence and entrench the importance of consistency. |
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WENDY WANNENBURG - 6th DAN - KARATE (SHOTOKAN )
Wendy started karate in 1985 under Sensei Johan Roets and she opened Horizon Karate Centre in January 2001. She was awarded her 6th Dan in 2012. Wendy was a very successful competitor both nationally and internationally winning many medals as a junior and a senior for both SA JKA and the Protea teams earning National colours and medals for both on several occasions. Wendy has been involved in National coaching for both KSA and SA JKA. In addition to being a competitor at 4 JKA World Champs (Shotocup) she was also appointed as assistant coach for the event in 2011 and 2014 and as a referee in 2017. She was appointed General Manager for SA JKA in 2015. |