Banzai Cup Open; Berlin 

Vienna Open; Austria

The past week Sensei Stef, Silvio and Alessandro attended the International Banzai Cup, Berlin 29^th  -30^th Sept in Germany and the Vienna Open 6^th Oct 2018 in Austria.  The idea was to take a team from 4Ways Dojo for as little as R25 000.00 to take part in two major International event that is Sanctioned by WKF (Karate Olympic body) in a space of 10 days, in order to get exposure  and game time on the European circuit. 

The Banzai Cup Open attracted more than 30 countries, 231 clubs, 1600 entries and 1256 competitors. Ages from 10yrs to Veterans and all belt levels.

Silvio took part in senior kata division with 45 competitors in his draw. He had 5 round, beating Germany, Ukraine, Italy, and in the final with Belgium who happen to be their national champion. Silvio was unanimous through all his rounds except the finals where he had three flags for him and two flag went against him. His final kata was Gankaku and won.

Also Sensei Stef competed in the veteran Kata division and won gold doing Superimpei in the finals with England doing Unsu.

Alessandro, took bronze medal for his u14 years kata division . With just over 30 competitors , Alessandria had to go through 5 round having to compete against Germany , France, England, Ukraine and Denmark.

The next international was the Vienna Open in Austria , 6^th October.

Another successful event for 4Ways Dojo representing South Africa at the Vienna open attracting 600 entries, 81 clubs and just over 20 countries.

A special Congratulation must be said to Silvio’s gold medal in the senior kata division beating Austria in the final with 5 Flags.

Also a good effort from Alessandro who just lost out in the finals of the bronze medal for his kata division. However his u14 years +55kg  kumite division, his fighting spirit managed to clenched a bronze medal beating Slovakia, was exceptional.

Last but not least, congratulation to Sensei Stef Biagioni for again winning his veteran division with a record, unanimous 5 flags victory through all his rounds for both the Banzai Cup and Vienna Open.

Kind Regards

Sensei Stef Biagioni

JHB Elite  trials 2019  

On the 3^RD November 2018. The Johannesburg Karate Federation had a Children’s and Senior district elite trials for our selection into the JHB squad for 2019. This allows them the opportunity to get some more game time and squad training with our selectors and coaches for JHB team to be represented at the Gauteng Trials in February next year.

There were full divisions of competitors’ from all over the JHB district and all 3 styles of karate represented such as Goju Ryu, Shotokan and Shito Ryu.

The trials was fair and very well judged by qualified international and national referees.

4Ways Martial Arts academy entered 32 student and clenched 58 Medal in total….

Sensei Roberta and Sensei Stef are extremely proud of the their students and their result as this was important for next year’s result going forward toward the main event of the year which is Karate South Africa.

Again I cannot stress more than enough on what an achievement this it for the 4WAYS DOJO; may you all go from strength to strength..

The names are as follows that have qualified for selection process to the next phase of the GKF trials:-

Kind Regards

Sensei Stef Biagioni

Cell 083 384 3026

Tel 011 705 1080

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Awards Evening  2018

I would like to thank all my students for attending the Awards Evening at Redhill School on Friday 7^th December 2018.

It was a fun occasion for most and an honour for some who got awarded for their achievement in 2018.

Congratulation to all the trophy winners and on behalf of Sensei Roberta and myself we would like to wish everyone and safe and festive season and a wonderful new year.

• Please find attached some photo of the Awards evening.

Lastly to all my parents’ thank you for being so dedicated this year in supporting your children’s karate, as you can see the result says it all.

Your children are enjoying karate so much that it is an absolute pleasure to teach them.

To all my senior instructor, again the strength of 4Ways Martial Arts Academy is a testament on the strength of my senior black belt that has a huge input to the teaching of Goju Ryu Karate.

Well-done to you all!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! and see you all back in the new year 14^th January 2019.

Fourways Martial Arts Academy would like to wish you and your family a Peaceful and Wonderful Festive Season.

Kind Regards

Sensei Stef Biagioni

Cell 083 384 3026

Tel 011 705 1080

 Inter-School Karate Championship 2018

On behalf of Fourways Martial Arts Academy, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the 17^th Interschool Karate championship was a success. On the 27^th October 2018, the Portuguese Hall hosted this event. With 300 competitors representing more than 50 schools, from as far as Cape Town and Gauteng is perhaps, one of the most popular tournaments on the karate calendar. With over 90 individual divisions and 1100 individual performances from the competitors, the interschool has built a reputation of being well organized that starts and finishes on time as per the scheduled program. This Interschool Karate is also well represented in the three major styles of karate in the country such as Goju-Ryu, Shotokan and Shito-Ryu.

Congratulations must be given to the Instructors for supporting this event and sending big teams such as the following top ten schools...

• Redhill School: - 20 competitors, with 64 point
• Cambridge Academy: - 21 competitors, with 59 points
• St Stithians College : - 30 competitors, with 59 points
• Linksfields: - 20 competitors, with 56 points
• Tuscany Glen: - 12 competitors, with 48 points
• Searidge Primary: - 20 competitors, with 32 points
• Braanbreker: - 10 competitors, with 30 points
• Christ Church: -12 competitors, with 25 points
• St Dominic’s: - 10 competitors, with 23 points
• Saamtrek: - 7 competitors, with 18 points

Well done to the top school Redhill, which deserved to take the top spot by coming first with 64 points, second place Cambridge Academy with 59 points and third place is St Stithians with 59 points, lastly Linksfield Primary for a fourth place with 56 points.

I would also like to thank all the Referees, Judges, Table Officials, instructors and the rest of the work force that contributed to this event. Keeping in mind that it is all voluntary work. Obviously without these people this event would not exist. I would like to give a special thanks to. Royce Imaging Industries for their contribution towards the Floating Trophies. Thank you once again, to all the suppliers that added to the atmosphere of the tournament such as Celsus Imago (photographer),     S O Martial Arts Shop, the caterers, Cucina con Gusto, the medics, Ernst Viljoen (PA System), Stephan Coetzee Zinc Tech security guards.

Last but not least I would like to thank the Portuguese Hall.

Slowly the aim and objective is filtering through to schools that Karate is a force to be reckoned with, as far as its popularity and benefits are concerned. Therefore nursery schools, primary and high schools will hopefully give Karate the opportunity that it deserves. That is, Karate is a Olympic Sport; therefore giving the recognition to the students and their achievements in Karate. Hopefully in doing so, karate can be recognized as an official sport at schools, starting at grass route level and just as strong as the other leading sports in South Africa.

In short, from myself, I would like to thank everyone and those that I had forgotten to mention and looking forward to hosting the 18^th Interschool Karate Championships next year 26^th October 2019.

Kind Regards

Sensei Stef Biagioni