Top karate expert grades Namibian

Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Namibia yesterday announced that the chief instructor in Namibia, Sensei Carl van der Merwe, has been awarded the very senior grade of 7th Dan (7th Degree Black Belt) in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. The grading system has 10 degrees of black belts. Sensei Carl successfully completed the grading test in front of a grading panel headed by Higaonna Morio Sensei, 10th Degree Black Belt, and Sensei Bakkies Laubscher, 9th Degree Black Belt. These two grand masters have a combined 120 years of karate training between them.Black belts are not easily awarded in Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate. The black belt grading system has a minimum waiting period about six years between 5th Degree and 6th Degree. In the period between black belt gradings a minimum number of karate seminars must be attended to increase technical skills. A candidate's contribution to develop karate not only on the floor but also off the floor is evaluated, as well as the responsibility taken for students and organisational affairs. Sensei Carl last graded in 2008 and had to wait at least seven years to be invited again for a grading test. Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate is affiliated to the IOGKF (International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Federation). The IOGKF has thousands of members in 53 countries. Sensei Carl is now one of the top 40 seniors of the IOGKF in the world. This is regarded as a special moment for Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Namibia and for Namibian karate in general. The grading test was presented at the 7th World Budosai, a very prestigious international karate seminar presented every four years in Naha City, Okinawa, Japan. Namibia was represented at this event by senseis Carl van der Merwe, Stefan van der Merwe, Rowan Carstens and Shaun Fobian. This was the largest karate event ever presented in Okinawa. A total of 1 100 participants from 41 countries attended the week-long event. SPORT REPORTER

Top karate expert grades Namibian

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-17

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Top karate expert grades Namibian

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-17

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