Black Belt grading for Goju Ryu Karate

Goju Ryu Karate Namibia recently conducted a Black Belt grading in Windhoek. Sensei Carl van der Merwe, 6th Dan, Chief Instructor for IOGKF Namibia (International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Federation), and Sensei Bakkies Laubscher, 8th Dan, Technical Adviser to the IOGKF,  headed the grading panel that also included other senior Black Belts. The task of the grading panel is to ensure that students are on par with their international counterparts. Students had to pass a strenuous fitness test including a written examination to test their knowledge on the history and technical aspects of Goju Ryu Karate, an 11 hour training seminar and two hours of physical tests. The following students were promoted: Sascha Becker – Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt);Willie Viljoen – Yondan (4th Dan Black Belt) and Nico Maritz – Yondan (4th Dan Black Belt). In the picture from left to right: Sascha Becker, Karin Brockmann, Marion Bause,  Sensei Carl van der Merwe, Sensei Bakkies Laubscher, Willie Viljoen and Nico Maritz