Simphiwe Dlulane

Full Name: Simphiwe Dlulane
Date of Birth: 20 February 1974
Grade: 4th Dan Black Belt
Years of Training: Since 1985
Simphiwe Dlulane was born in 1974 and started Full-Contact Karate (Kyokushin) training in 1985 and is today an internationally recognized and respected karateka. Having represented the country in numerous international events, a detailed list of his achievements would fill volumes. Let it suffice to say some of his notable achievements include, inter-alia, the following:
South African Young Lions (under19 years) Champion; 1992, 1993
Undefeated South African Lightweight Champion for 3 years until he voluntarily campaigned in other divisions; 1992 - 1994.
Undefeated South African Middleweight Champion until he voluntarily campaigned in other divisions; 1995 – 2000.
Current undefeated South African Heavyweight Champion; since 2001.
Current South African Open weight Champion of Champions;
Year 2000 Russian and Eastern Europe Champion.
8th Place & best technical fighter in the 2006 All-Japan Championships.
Top 10 Knockdown (Full Contact) Fighter in the world.
Young Free Stater of the Year 2006.
Besides these he has represented South Africa in many international events in countries such as Japan, Brazil, Russia and France as illustrated in the table below:

INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA FOR UKZN KARATE ENTHUSIAST

A student at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine (NRMSM) who has excelled in karate was recently acknowledged at an international tournament in Russia. Fourth-year student, Mr Thabani Mndebela, and his three team mates were recognised as the best fighters in their category at the International Karate Team Tournament held in Khabarovsk, Russia, on May 11.
The International Karate Organisation presented the team with the Best Fighters Diploma for their prowess in the martial art. Mr Mndebela's participation in a tournament in South Africa last year - the All African Kyokushin Karate Tournament - led to his selection for the Russian competition.
Mr Mndebela, who has a brown belt, said he felt he "deserved" this win because of the "hours of hard work I have put in". He trains daily at UKZN's Old Mutual Sports Hall. Students are often advised to balance their studies with extra curricular activities and Mr Mndebela has struck this balance through his karate training. It has taught him discipline and motivated him in his studies. The aspirant paediatrician said he chose to study Medicine because he "liked serving people".
Professor Willem Sturm, Dean of the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine said: "Students and staff at the NRMSM are proud of Thabani's achievements. He is a role model for younger students in that he performs in his sport at international level while being successful in his studies as well."

Kanku

The symbol of Kyokushin Karate is the Kanku, which is derived from Kanku Kata, the Sky Gazing Form. In this kata, the hands are raised and the fingers meet to form an opening through which the sky is viewed. The top and bottom points of the Kanku represent the first fingers of each hand touching at the top and the thumbs touching at the bottom, symbolizing the peaks or ultimate points. The thick sections at the sides represent the wrists, symbolizing power. The center circle represents the opening between the hands through which the sky is viewed, symbolizing infinite depth. The whole Kanku is enclosed by a circle, symbolizing continuity and circular action.