Cape Town - Seventy-eight-year-old karateka, Salome Davids, has been honoured with a prestigious black belt promotion after nearly 30 years’ experience.
Davids was promoted at Karate Kai International’s year-end grading at the weekend, which drew 80 dedicated athletes ranging in age from four to 56 from clubs based in Hanover Park, Heideveld, Ruyterwacht, and Elsies River.
The event, held biannually, is a hallmark on the karate calendar, testing students’ mastery of basic techniques such as punches, blocks, kicks and stances.
The highlight of the day was an emotional and inspiring moment featuring Davids, who has been practising karate for nearly 30 years, as she received an honorary 3rd dan black belt in a heartfelt ceremony.
Due to health challenges, she is no longer able to actively participate in the sport, but plans to teach others.
“I enjoy everything about karate, especially the fighting and the skills, which I in turn taught the younger students.
“At the age of 50 I won a Western Province trophy. I no longer fight because I have illnesses now and my movement is not so good.
“I was overjoyed on Saturday. Being promoted to 3rd dan is a wonderful achievement because that was my goal when I started karate.
“I always told my children I would like to end up in a 3rd dan.
“I am very grateful to Deen, he was a great fighter and we used to train together. He has a lot of amazing fighting skills which he is bringing over to his students.”
Deen Daniels, the founder and master of Karate Kai International, took the celebration a step further by conferring an additional honour on Davids.
In a surprise announcement, he declared that she would now carry the title of sensei (teacher).
“Salome was my assistant karate instructor when I opened my clubs in Ruyterwacht and Hanover Park 22 years ago. All newcomers were taught by her. She had the perfect amount of patience and loved to nurture the newcomers into our dojo. Salome is a kind-hearted person and very dedicated. She never missed a session and the students looked forward to their sessions with her,” said Daniels.
“Salome’s health is not the best and the family at one stage during the year thought she wasn't going to make it to December. In an interview with her, she told her family that she wanted me to speak in her memory after she passed on. I decided to honour her while she is alive and promote her to the rank of sensei.”