Kyokushin Karate’s Kenny Uytenbogaardt visits Ashihara Karate
In 1992, Kyokushin Hanshi Kenny Uytenbogaardt (now 8th Dan) visited the Ashihara Karate S.A. Honbu dojo (now the Ashihara Karate International So-Honbu) – his comments to Kaicho Hoosain Narker and students are self-explanatory.

KAWP Award to Len Barnes of Kyokushin
In 1992, Hoosain Narker (now Kaicho of Ashihara Karate International) and the longest serving executive member of the Provincial All Styles Governing Body (Karate Association of the Western Province) and a serving member of the National Body (KASA), was tasked to honour the father of Kyokushin in South Africa, Len Barnes Shihan with a certificate of commendation for this contributions to karate in the country. This was awarded at a Kyokushin tournament in September of 1992. On the mic and to the left of the screen is Shihan Trevor Tockar, now based in Australia. In the background very visible are Selby Mkhwanasi (deceased), Roy Nates (Inactive), Dave Bristow (Deceased), Tony Barker (Kyokushin Union Shihan), Enver Addison (Oyama Sosai Shihan), Hennie Bosman (Kyokushin Kan Hanshi), Nolan Charles (inactive) and others

Achmat Hassiem, the Sharkboy – No limits to who can excel in Karate
There are sports and arts which, by their nature, would exclude anyone with a handicap. Karate is not one of these arts. A great example of this within the Ashihara Karate style is black belt Achmat Hassiem, who lost his leg in a shark attack. As youngsters, Achmat and his brother Tariq were practicing for their upcoming lifesaving exams when Achmat saw a shark swimming towards his brother. To distract the shark from his brother, he splashed the water. This caused the shark to change directions and head towards him instead.

The 4.7m shark bit him and started dragging him down into the ocean by his leg. With his air gone he came to the realization that he was not ready to die – ie. a state of a Satori or Zen mind. He then clambered onto the shark which broke his leg off, started punching the shark on the nose and only by pushing his hand into a scar and wiggling it which enraged the shark that then shook him off. He quickly swam to the surface and luckily a rescue boat reached them at this point in time and could get him out before the enraged shark who had returned could and Achmat was rushed to hospital and operated on. His bravery in drawing the shark towards himself then evolved into another kind of bravery, the bravery of not letting his handicap dictate the remainder of his life.

Aside from achieving his black belt in Ashihara Karate under Kaicho Hoosain Narker, the Headmaster for Ashihara Karate International, Achmat has represented South Africa at several Paralympics and ended up ranked in the top ten worldwide in his events. He exemplifies the Karate spirit of never giving up and we are proud to count him amongst the ranking black belts in our dojo.

Ashihara Karate Social Mountain Hike – Echo Valley Sept 2019
Ashihara Karate arranges regular social activities like games evening, weekend hikes and social walks on Sundays and now we will also do it on alternate Saturday mornings. By doing these also we create a greater bond amongst our members. This hike which includes parents and students was to Echo Valley starting at Kalk Bay Harbour. Generating a different type of fitness and creating greater cohesion amongst members.

Ashihara Karate Social Games Evening March ’20
Ashihara Karate arranges regular social activities like games evenings, weekend hikes and social walks. This was our last such event before covid struck and our students are looking forward to safer times when we can resume such activities which creates greater cohesion and interaction amongst members.