East Cape Shotokan-Ryu Karate

12/01/2024

Beginners' Karate Classes & Free Karate Suit Special Offer!
Join our classes in Makhanda, Port Alfred or Kenton. Enquiries for private lessons, classes for home school groups and private schools are welcome.

Experience the rich legacy of Japanese Shotokan Karate and enjoy a stimulating and enjoyable workout for both mind and body. Karate benefits children, teens and adults of all ages and body-types. In addition to being an effective form of self-defense, karate is also an excellent form of exercise. It improves social skills, self-confidence, coordination, concentration and focus, and promotes a positive attitude and a healthy way of life.

Apart from weekly classes we offer the opportunity to regularly train with world class international guest instructors, outdoor training sessions and for those interested, an extensive WUKF tournament programme encompassing local, national and international events.

We offer affordable monthly fees and reduced family rates for more than one member per immediate family.

Classes are presented by East Cape Shotokan-Ryu Head-Instructor, Gary Grapentin (6th dan black belt) and assistant instructor, Brent Smith (3rd dan black belt) together with supporting ECSR Black Belt Instructors.

Please enquire about our limited special offer of a free karate suit for beginners (t’s & c’s apply). For more information contact Gary on 073 3460 059 (also on WhatsApp) or at [email protected].

07/01/2024

Looking forward to the first WUKF East Cape Karate Open which will take place on the 17th of February in the Guy Butler Theatre at the 1820 Settlers Monument in Makhanda.

02/01/2024

Beginners' Karate Classes & Free Karate Suit Special Offer!

Join our classes in Makhanda, Port Alfred or Kenton. Enquiries for private lessons, classes for home school groups and private schools are welcome.

Experience the rich legacy of Japanese Shotokan Karate and enjoy a stimulating and enjoyable workout for both mind and body. Karate benefits children, teens and adults of all ages and body-types. In addition to being an effective form of self-defense, karate is also an excellent form of exercise. It improves social skills, self-confidence, coordination, concentration and focus, and promotes a positive attitude and a healthy way of life. Apart from weekly classes we offer the opportunity to regularly train with world class international guest instructors, outdoor training sessions and for those interested, an extensive WUKF tournament programme encompassing local, national and international events.

We offer affordable monthly fees and reduced family rates for more than one member per immediate family.

Classes are presented by East Cape Shotokan-Ryu Head-Instructor, Gary Grapentin (6th dan black belt) and assistant instructor, Brent Smith (3rd dan black belt) together with supporting ECSR Black Belt Instructors.

Please enquire about our limited special offer of a free karate suit for beginners (t’s & c’s apply). For more information contact Gary on 073 3460 059 (also on WhatsApp) or at [email protected].

A group of karate dojos situated within the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

07/12/2023

WUKF SA is thrilled to announce that WUKF, together with other world karate federations has recently signed a groundbreaking agreement with the International School Sport Federation (ISF), an esteemed organisation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This collaboration marks a historic moment as karate and kobudo officially join their ranks!

The ISF, a global force dedicated to promoting sports and physical education among school-aged children worldwide, places a special emphasis on the educational benefits of sports. Through organising international school sports competitions, the ISF creates a platform for pupils to showcase their talents on a global stage, fostering cultural exchange in the process.

Championing the cause of physical education in schools, the ISF collaborates with diverse partners to develop youth athletes, instil values like teamwork and discipline, and contribute to the holistic education of pupils internationally. These recent developments will potentially pave the way for WUKF SA affiliated members to also enjoy the incredible opportunity of sending school-going pupils to compete at the world's largest international school championships!

In a further boost to next year’s WUKF SA National Championships & Afro Asia Open, several international teams have expressed their interest in competing in South Africa. This includes the USA’s Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), one of the largest non-profit, volunteer-driven, multi-sport organisations in the world. With a staggering 800,000 members and 150,000 volunteers, the AAU is also a proud member of the ISF and a force to be reckoned with.

WUKF SA continues to open doors to a world of possibilities for young South African karate and kobudo athletes. Join WUKF and WUKF SA in celebrating the power of sports, education, and global collaboration in an international karate community which subscribes to the principles of fair-play, professionalism, collegiality, and friendship.

Photo credit: Unknown. WUKF General Secretary, Roberto Perri (far right) at the signing of the agreement with the ISF.

30/11/2023

I'm excited to announce that our first tournament for 2024 will take place on the 17th of February in the Guy Butler Theatre at the 1820 Settlers Monument (Makhanda/Grahamstown). The Theatre has played host to some of the most famous and highly acclaimed national and international artists, and now for the first time ever, the stage will be set for WUKF Karate! Join us for this unique karate experience! The Tournament will also be the ideal preparatory event for karateka competing at the 2024 WUKF SA National Championship & Afro-Asia Open and will form part of an exciting new series of league events in the Eastern Cape (more details to follow soon). For further information please contact Gary Grapentin at [email protected] or on 073 346 0059 (available on WhatsApp).

02/11/2023

I'm pleased to announce that the provisional invitation to next year's WUKF SA National Championships & Afro-Asia Open is now available. The Championship will take place at the Boardwalk Hotel & International Conference Centre from the 21st - 24th March. Affiliated WUKF dojo-Heads are asked to contact their federation-heads for a copy of the invitation. International WUKF affiliates interested in attending may contact me directly for the invitation at [email protected]. Gary Grapentin

22/10/2023

Although a small United Shotokan-Ryu 1st Kyu Brown and Dan Grading in the Eastern Cape this year, it certainly didn't detract from the occasion for the successful candidates. Congratulations to the following karateka (back row from left to right): Tosca Stoloff, ECSR Makhanda/Rhodes University (1st Kyu Brown), Nakita Avis, ECSR Port Alfred (Shodan) and Mphutumi Mxoli (Joza Karate Club (1st Kyu Brown). Examiners: (front row from left to right) Maureen De Jager, Gary Grapentin, Kenny Tawse, Rockey Lamastra).

18/10/2023

23/09/2023

I'm pleased to announce that with the endorsement of Prof. Dr Liviu Crisan (WUKF President) and Sensei Essam Shreif (WUKF Ambassador for Afro-Asia) the 2024 Edition of the WUKF South Africa National Championships will now incorporate the 2024 WUKF Afro-Asia Open. This prestigious event will take place in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape from the 21st to the 24th of March 2024 and promises to be a celebration of the spirit, unity and inclusivity which epitomises the WUKF ethos. The Championship will be held at the Boardwalk Hotel's International Conference Centre. The Five Star Hotel and Conference Centre is situated on Gqeberha's Golden Mile overlooking the iconic Hobie Beach. Gqeberha is within a short distance of some of the World's most acclaimed safari parks including Lalibela, Addo, Pumba, Amakhala, Sibuya, Kariega and Shamwari. The Championship is not only open to WUKF Federations on the African and Asian Continents, but to all international WUKF Federations. For all Championship enquiries as well as info pertaining to WUKF affiliations in South Africa, please contact Gary Grapentin on 073 346 0059 (WhatsApp) or at [email protected].