Page 15 - Fourways Gardens May Issue 2025

Estate News

FOURWAYS MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY

AT FOURWAYS GARDENS

arate is designed to cultivate various Meet the team: the International Shorei of Martial Arts.
skills, including concentration, Sensei Roberta Biagioni His expertise extends to serving on the
balance, hand-eye coordination, Roberta began her karate training at the Dan National grading panel for his style
Kself-defence, discipline, and muscle age of 26 and, after 30 years of dedicated and acting as a tournament director.
toning. Additionally, it offers therapeutic practice, has achieved the rank of 6th
benefits, particularly for children with Dan Instructor. Throughout her journey, In 1999, Shihan Biagioni transitioned
conditions such as ADD and ADHD, as she has received numerous accolades, to a full-time professional karateka,
well as promoting bilateral integration. including the title of Best Senior Student successfully establishing six dojos in
Our classes are held in a supportive and at the Hombu Dojo at the Fourways and around the Fourways, Sandton,
enjoyable atmosphere. Our instructors are Martial Arts Academy, as well as Top and Bryanston areas. His achievements
committed to enhancing children’s self- Overall Senior Student at the Academy in sports karate include multiple titles,
esteem and confidence through karate, the following year. such as South African Champion, Region
equipping them with essential life skills. South Champion, African Cup Champion,
Roberta has been awarded Eastern Commonwealth Karate Champion, World
Gauteng Colours for the last five Goju-Ryu Champion, and World WKC
consecutive years and has represented Champion.
Eastern Gauteng at the South African
Nationals Championship each year since He has also earned medals at the African
receiving her Colours. Additionally, she Games and is a K1 Premier League WKF
has been selected to represent South medallist. With an impressive total of 73
Africa at an international level since 2001. international appearances, including 29
competitions where he earned his Protea
In her professional capacity, Roberta colours, he stands out as one of the
serves as a full-time instructor, operating legendary figures in modern karate.
a dojo alongside Sensei Stef Biagioni.
Beyond her teaching role, she holds the His achievements not only highlight
position of Chief Referee for the Gauteng his exceptional skill and dedication but
Karate Federation and is also a judge also solidify his status as a remarkable
for both kata and kumite, as well as an ambassador for the sport. Additionally,
international UFAK referee for Africa. Shihan Biagioni has held significant
leadership roles within the karate
Shihan Stef Biagioni community, serving as President of
Shihan Stef Biagioni holds the impressive Ekurhuleni for 12 years, President of
rank of 7th Dan (Nanadan) and has Johannesburg for 5 years, and recently
dedicated nearly 45 years to the practice being elected as President of the Gauteng
of Goju-Ryu Karate under the esteemed Karate Federation in 2024. He also
guidance of Shihan Arnold de Beer. Since contributed to the sport as the National
1991, he has been a founding member of Coach for Karate South Africa for two years.

Sensei Stef Biagioni 083 384 3026
stefbiagioni@connectit.co.za www.4waysmartialarts.co.za

Goju-Ryu

Fourways Gardens • 13 • May 2025