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Click on each photo to see more about our great instructors!
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EVENT CO-ORDINATOR - KARYN SMITH - 6th DAN - KARATE
Karyn was a late starter, only beginning her karate career in 1996 at the age of 29. She was awarded her 6th dan in July 2024 and is now a full time karate and Self Defence for Women instructor. She was appointed to the SA JKA Senior Board in March 2025. 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. As well as being an Open Elite competitor at three JKA World Championships (2000, 2004 and 2006) she also competed as a Veteran Kumite at the JKA World Champs in 2025 where she won a bronze medal. In addition to being an Open and Veteran competitor at the JKA World Champs, Karyn was also appointed as a Junior coach for the event in 2011 and a judge in 2017. |
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KATJA BRUWER - 7th DAN - JUDO
Katja started judo more than 40 years ago. She was awarded her 7th Dan in July 2024, and is the highest graded judoka woman in South Africa. 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 Champs 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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DANICA VAN ZYL - 2nd DAN - JUDO
Danica started Judo in 1995 and competed extensively, winning the South African Championships six times and earning several silver medals. She also competed in kata, winning gold at the South African Championships, and representing South Africa at the Africa Championships twice—earning a bronze and a silver. Danica took part in the Under-63kg division and competed at the World Championships for kata. As a young adult, she also dedicated a lot of time to coaching. |
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MONIQUE LYONS - 5th DAN - KARATE
Monique has been practicing JKA karate since 1990. She currently holds the rank of Godan (5th dan) in JKA (Japan Karate Association). Monique has won many medals at national and international SA JKA and KSA tournaments. She has represented South Africa at international level and is also a National junior coach. As a SA JKA Dojo head, she is able to pursue her passion to teach and mentor young karate-kas. Monique is passionate about karate and its benefits for physical and mental health, anti-bullying and self defence. |
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MADELEIN COETZEE - 4th DAN - KARATE
Madelein started her journey in 1996. She is a dedicated JKA karateka with nearly three decades of experience. She holds the rank of Yondan (4th Dan) and serves as a instructor at Ermelo JKA under the SA JKA banner. Madelein has been teaching for over 19 years - always striving for continuing growth and improvement. Karate remains a lifelong passion and she finds joy in training, teaching, and competing. She continues to learn from every class and every student. Her approach blends discipline with encouragement, aiming to build confident karateka and to foster a supportive dojo culture. She is especially passionate about empowering through karate, believing that strength is found in consistency, kindness, and community. |
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SHARON WALKER - 4th DAN - KARATE
Sharon began karate in 1975 finding it far more exciting than ballet. After training through primary school, she returned at university, representing Central Transvaal and earning Transvaal College Colors. Following a break due to injury and family commitments, Sharon rejoined in 2016 and has trained ever since. She has represented Gauteng and SA JKA, consistently placing in the top three nationally. Internationally, Sharon earned silver in Mauritius (2023) and top-eight finishes at Shotocup World Champs (2024). She now trains at Tomodachi Dojo and runs her own dojo in Honeydew. |
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SARAH O'DONNELL - 4th DAN - KICKBOXING
Sarah has been involved in martial arts, particularly kickboxing. 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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DOMINIQUE OLFSEN - KRAV MAGA
Dominique journey into the world of self-defence began in 2019 with a simple desire — to challenge herself. What started as curiosity quickly turned into passion when she discovered Krav Maga which taught her what her body was capable of and revealed something deeper: that women have the strength, instinct, and resilience to protect themselves — they just need to be shown how. Over the years, her dedication led her to earn a black belt in Krav Maga and become a certified instructor. Her pursuit of excellence didn’t stop there. She went on to achieve certification in the Kalah Combat System, one of only a handful of women worldwide to hold this distinction in both hand-to-hand combat and tactical training. Dominique has shared her knowledge, skill and training on the international stage and her work has reached global audiences, with outlets like Reuters sharing her story to shed light on the fight against gender-based violence in South Africa. |
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SHARLE VERMAAK - 2nd DAN - KRAV MAGA
Sharle has over 11 years of experience in the fitness industry with group trainings and personal training. Sharle' was looking for something more to empower herself after enduring a lot of personal struggles and started training in Israeli Defense sytems in 2015, specializing in disarming of knives, guns, rifles and sticks and also Israeli Close Combat . She immediately excelled and achieved her Black Belt within 3 years , going on her 2nd Black belt soon, She is a Level 3 Krav Maga Israeli Self Defense Instructor and also trains in JKA Karate when she is not instructing and training in Krav Maga. |
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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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LUIZE TATTLE - ZUMBA
Luize is a 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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