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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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KIARA FEGAN - BJJ & MMA
Kiara Fegen began her martial arts journey in 2015 at the age of 14, initially training in jiu-jitsu as a form of self-defence against bullying. What started as protection quickly became a passion, and by 2020 she added Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) to her training. Today, Kiara is a full-time martial artist and remains an active competitor, with over 25 jiu-jitsu competitions and 12 MMA fights to her name. Her competitive career includes standout achievements on both national and international stages. In 2024, Kiara won gold at the IMMAF World Championships, where she was also selected as Captain of the South African team and she claimed championship titles with GFC and ACE Fighting in MMA and secured first place in two different weight divisions at Nationals in a single weekend. In 2025, she was crowned Submission Queens Absolute Champion twice, adding to her bronze medal from the IMMAF World Championships in 2023. |
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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 for over 20 years, specialising in kickboxing, and holds a 4th Degree Black Belt. Her journey includes high-level competitive experience, representing England at the World Championships in 2013, where she showcased both skill and determination on the international stage. Now based in Alberton, Gauteng, Sarah runs her own successful martial arts club, where she is passionate about teaching, coaching, and developing students of all ages and abilities. Known for her strong technical knowledge and motivating teaching style, she focuses on building confidence, discipline, and practical fighting skills. In addition to her regular classes, Sarah conducts self-defence workshops across Gauteng, passing on her experience to help others feel safer, stronger, and more empowered through effective, real-world self-defence training. |
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SHARLE VERMAAK - 2nd DAN - KRAV MAGA
Sharle has over 12 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 in 2018, within 3 years, grading to 2nd Dan in 2022. Sharle is a Level 3 Krav Maga Israeli Self Defense Instructor and also trains in Shotokan Karate when she is not instructing and training in Krav Maga. |
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JOLENE PALMER - YOGA
Jolene de Szabo (Palmer) is a highly experienced yoga instructor, teacher trainer, and the visionary founder of YogaJo, a thriving yoga studio in Bedfordview, Johannesburg. Since beginning her teaching journey in 2013, Jolene has dedicated herself to guiding individuals toward greater self-awareness, healing, and personal growth through the practice of mindful movement. Her teaching spans a wide range of classes and settings, including corporate programs, kids’ yoga, prenatal sessions, and one-on-one guidance. Jolene also trains aspiring teachers through the Young Yoga Institute (est. 1975), sharing her knowledge, experience, and passion for the transformative power of yoga. Beyond her professional achievements, Jolene is a seasoned entrepreneur and devoted mother of two, bringing warmth, authenticity, and deep compassion to everything she does. Her approach is rooted in understanding, encouragement, and connection, helping students find balance, purpose, and growth both on and off the mat. |
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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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