‘Bruce Lee has nothing on us’

Two Goju karateka recently moved up a notch in the black belt rankings when they achieved the rank of Nidan, i.e. their second black belt. Two more joined the black belt ranks for the first time when they successfully graded as Junior Shodan karateka. The grading took place in Windhoek under the supervision of Goju stalwart, Sensei Carl van der Merwe, assisted by senior Goju shihankai.
Peter Cunningham and Hermann Hentschel graded for their second black, Nidan, while Shirleen de Wee and Dimo Eloff graded first black or Shodan for juniors (younger than 18).
Sensei Carl is ranked 6th Dan and is the chief instructor for IOGKF Namibia (International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Federation). The task of the grading panel is to ensure that the prospective Shodani and Nidani comform to and exceed the style’s international standards.
The students had to pass a strenuous fitness test as well as a written examination to test their knowledge of the history and technical aspects of Goju Ryu karate. Then followed the actual physical grading test of more than two hours.