Discipline and concentration filled the karate halls as the International Federation of Funakoshi Shotokan Karate South Africa (IFFSKSA) successfully hosted a large-scale national training course recently.
Under the leadership of Hanshi Eric Govender, the President and Chief Instructor of IFFSKSA and an 8th Dan master, the course drew an impressive 185 karatekas. This turnout reflects the continued growth and strong national interest in structured, high-performance karate development. Participants ranged from white-belt beginners to senior black belts, ensuring inclusive technical development across all levels of experience.
The training was conducted over two intensive sessions, carefully structured to address both fundamental and advanced aspects of Shotokan karate.
Emphasis was placed on correct kihon execution, kata refinement, kumite application and competitive readiness, with Hanshi Govender providing direct technical guidance and strategic insights throughout the course.
Hanshi Govender ensured that all karatekas gained maximum benefit from the four hours of intense training. He said: “One of the main objectives of such courses is to motivate karatekas and fine-tune their skills. At the same time, it provides a window for parents to view the progress of their children and ensures that standardisation is exercised amongst all affiliated dojos. IFFSKSA is an affiliated member of FSKA-World and also the fast-growing World Union of Karate-Do Federations (WUKF).”
He added: “This national training initiative forms a key part of IFFSKSA’s preparation for the forthcoming 2026 tournament season, with a strong focus on athlete conditioning, technical consistency and competition standards aligned to international expectations. The course also reinforced discipline, mental focus and traditional karate values alongside modern competitive demands.”
