The Instructor

John Solomon Sensei

Throughout John Solomon’s childhood, he has always been a very active individual and showed a keen interest in Martial Arts.  He started his karate career in 1989 at the local, Shukokai karate school, under the leadership of Shihan Patrick Ross.   Three years later, he obtained his Boland(regional) All Styles colours in 1992, becoming a member of the regional team and have ever since then, been a regular member of this team. In that same year, he realized his then dream and goal as a karateka, by becoming the South African National champion in kata.

In 1993, he represented South Africa at the Kobe Osaka International karate championships, which was held in Glasgow, Scotland. He managed to obtain the second position (silver medal) in the individual kata division. Two years later, in 1995, he again participated in the Kobe Osaka International Karate Championships.

In 1996, he took the top spot on the podium by winning gold in both individual kata (forms) & kumite (fighting) at the Hayashi-Ha South Africa National Championships. That clinched his selection to represent the country in Miami, Florida at the Hayashi-Ha Shito Ryu Kai World Championships.

In 1997, he won three gold medals – two in individual kata & kumite and one in team kata at the Hayashi-Ha South African National Championships.

In 1998, he won the under 55kg kumite division at the South African All Styles National Championships and was selected to represent South Africa at the Zone 6 African Championships. In the same year, he won gold in individual kata at the South African Hayashi-Ha National Championships.

In 2001, he was graded to the rank of 2^nd Dan Black Belt. After the aforementioned achievements, he became an assistant instructor at the Patrick Ross Karate Academy, working with kids and teenagers. That year, he won gold in the under 60kg kumite division at the South African University Championships. He received the Referee of the year award from Karate Boland.

In 2002, he won gold in both individual Kata & Kumite divisions at the Hayashi-Ha Shito Ryu Kai, South African National Championships.

In 2003, he again represented S.A. at the Hayashi – Ha Shito Ryu Kai World Championships in Karlstadt, Sweden where he won a Bronze medal in the Team kata division.

In 2004, he won gold in both Kata & Kumite at the Hayashi-Ha Shito Ryu South Africa National Championships. He was appointed the Assistant Coach of Karate Association Boland and was also graded to the rank of 3^rd Dan Black Belt.

In 2005, he won gold in both Kata & Kumite at the Karate South Africa All Styles Karate Championships.

In 2006, he opened a dojo (club) at Victor Verster Correctional facility (Drakenstein Prison). Many of the students under his tutelage achieved Protea colours and represented the country at International and World Championships.

In 2007, he represented South Africa at the Zone 6 African Hayashi-Ha Championships in Gaborone, Botswana where he won a silver medal in the Team kata division.

From 2007 to 2009, he was the Regional Head Coach of Karate Boland (Cape Winelands Karate).

In 2009, he was honoured with the coach of the year award from Karate Boland. The organization received the best Province award at the Karate South Africa National awards. At the National Shito Ryu Open Championships, he won three gold medals in individual kata, kumite and team kata and in the same year was graded to the rank of 4^th Dan Black Belt.

In 2010, he represented South Africa (Protea Colours) at the World Karate Federation Championships in Serbia.  Two years later, in 2012, he won gold in team kata at the Karate South Africa All styles National Championships. Sensei John was graded to the rank of 5^th Dan Black belt.

In 2013- 2014, he was elected the General Secretary of the Western Cape Karate Association.

In 2015, he won gold in both individual kata and Team kata divisions at the South African National Karate Championships.

In 2016, he won gold in individual kata at the South African National Karate Championships.