03/03/2024
JKA KARATE, GRACIE JIU-JITSU & MMA UNLIMITED
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the tremendous honour bestowed upon me: receiving my Sixth (Roku) Dan from the JKA Karate and being appointed to the esteemed Senior Board.
Words can not adequately convey the depth of my appreciation for this recognition. It is a profound privilege to be acknowledged for my dedication and commitment to the art of karate. The journey to this point has been filled with challenges, sacrifices, and countless hours of training, but it has also been immensely rewarding. Reaching my Sixth (Roku) Dan is a milestone that I will forever cherish, and being entrusted with a position on the Senior Board is a responsibility that I hold with the utmost reverence.
I am acutely aware of the legacy and tradition JKA Karate represents. To be considered worthy of such an honour within this esteemed organization is truly humbling. I am committed to upholding the principles of karate-do, promoting its values of discipline, respect, and perseverance, and contributing to the growth and development of fellow practitioners.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who have supported me throughout this journey – my Sensei’s, my father Sensei Dries La Grange, Sensei Keith Geyer and my brother and chief instructor of JKA South-Africa Sensei Johan La Grange, my fellow karateka, friends, and family. Your guidance, encouragement, and unwavering belief in me have been instrumental in reaching this milestone. I am profoundly grateful for your invaluable contributions to my growth as a martial artist and as an individual.
As I embark on this new chapter as a member of the Senior Board, I do so with a profound sense of duty and dedication. I am committed to serving the JKA Karate community to the best of my abilities, striving to uphold the organization's standards of excellence and integrity.
Once again, thank you from the depths of my heart for this incredible honour. I am deeply grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me, and I am eager to continue my journey of growth and learning with the best Karate family in the world, JKA.
One Way - JKA
With sincere gratitude and warm regards,
Sensei Riaan La Grange