In what was the largest event of its kind in the Langeberg, five black-belt Kushido students (yodansha) were promoted two weeks ago.
One of the students was promoted to Fourth Dan (yondan) and four to First Dan (shodan), three of them from Robertson, one from Swellendam and another from Kushido Robertson.
The course giving rise to this consisted of basic techniques, movement, Kata, Randori, Kobudo (traditional weapons skills) and aspects of healing (shiatsu and reflexology). It was conducted by Kyoshi Ronald Lekay and Kyoshi Freddy Williams, seventh dan Kushido teachers who are also from Robertson.
The promotion was acknowledged, certified and awarded by Kancho Hu St John Thomson, who is the headmaster of Kushido, currently residing in Swellendam. He founded Kushido with his late ex-wife Marty in 1963, and will celebrate 60 years next January.
The new yondan is John Moore, an officer at Robertson Police Station. The four new shodan are Timothy Williams, second-year student at Stellenbosch University, Jarno Padiachy and Lindie Fortuin, both matric learners at Robertson High School as well as Nigel Adams, principal of WA Rossouw Primary School in Montagu.
