GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - A Graaff-Reinet Police Commander, Capt Johan du Plessis (53), recently won gold and bronze at the South African Police Martial Arts championships. He was part of a 17-member Eastern Cape Karateka team that competed at nationals.
The championships, with 148 participants from all nine provinces, took place in Potchefstroom from Monday 7 October until Thursday 10 October. The Eastern Cape team came home with 25 medals.
Du Plessis, the commander of the local Criminal Record Centre, introduced Ninjitsu Style and Sword Control to the police competitors at the competition. It was immediately added as a SAPS sport discipline.
He won gold in the Kata Style, where competitors must perform 27 movements within 10 seconds. His bronze medal was awarded for introducing Sword Control to the police.
His diciplines include Koga Ryu Ninjitsu, Jo-Du Kai Defence and Close Combat.
Du Plessis is one of the highest-rated and qualified Karatekas in the police, with his sixth dun around his waist, proudly named a Shihan (master) in karate language.
Following in his footsteps, his daughter Tammy (21) began karate, specifically the Ninjitsu style, at the age of five. She now boasts a junior black belt, and already went through all the steps to be honoured with a senior black belt. Mother Veronica is described by Johan as their inspiration to achieve, with all her support.
Johan du Plessis demonstrating the Ninjitsu Style. RIGHT: Sword Control demonstrated by Johan du Plessis.
Johan finished his police training in 1986. He has participated in karate since he was 13.
In March 2009, he moved from Durban to Graaff-Reinet. Johan said his passion is to train others. For this reason, he is busy training Graaff-Reinet residents, mostly in the Ninjitsu style and Sword Control.
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