Instructors

SENSEI LAURENT GASTON BELLEGARDE – 7th Dan

• 7th Dan Black Belt
• SASKA Shihan Kai member
• SASKA Chairman
• WUKF Africa – Vice President
Sensei Laurent was born in 1962 in France and moved to South Africa in 1970. He started karate in South Africa with his son and daughter under Shihan Koos Burger. He is currently a 7th Dan and runs a karate club in Brackenhurst, Alberton where he teaches together with his son Sensei Nicholas who is currently a 4th Dan. They teach both children and adult students. Sensei Laurent and his son still compete at national and international levels.
He was selected as the national coach for the seniors team for the World Union of Karate-Do Federation (WUKF) world championships held in Brazil in 2005, in Spain 2007, in Ukraine 2009, in Italy 2011 and Romania 2013. He is also the Vice President for WUKF in Africa and holds the position of Chairman for SASKA. Sensei Laurent’s achievements at the world championships was obtaining a 3rd place in Spain 2007, 2nd place in Ukraine 2009, 2nd place in Italy 2011and 2nd place in Romania 2013.
When asking Sensei Laurent what his feelings are about Karate, his reply was as follows:
“I feel that the art of Karate is beneficial to all children and adults as it bring confidence towards our life and the challenges that we face. Young or old we all have fears that we may come across in life. Karate helps and trains us to make the best decision be it combat, self defense situation, or any other decision we may need to make. It helps you to think, plan quickly and effectively.
Karate is also Beneficial to ones mental and physical health and improves the core strength of the body.
I see Karate as a way of life; it teaches you self-defense, confidence and discipline. I feel that people who practice the Art of Karate become achievers and live life in a positive way. I believe perseverance is the pathway to success”.
“My best achievement in life is the fact that I have had the opportunity to train with my son and we both obtained Medals in the Karate World Championships.”
Contact Details – Sensei Laurent 082 4942704 brackencobras@absamail.co.za

SENSEI NICHOLAS BELLEGARDE – 6th Dan

• 6th Dan Black Belt
• SASKA Shihan Kai member
My karate career began in 1989 when I was just five years old. After having just started school, I decided that I wanted to begin taking karate classes too. Now, more than 2 decades later I can honestly say that I have never looked back and karate has become a way of life for me. Currently I am a full time partner at the Cobras karate club in Alberton, where I teach twice a week with my father, Sensei Laurent Gaston-Bellegarde. I enjoy teaching this magnificent art to people of all ages, and I believe that all these years of teaching have instilled certain morals and values within me, for which I am well respected today.
I have competed at various World Championships over the last 10 years and my highest national and international achievements to date, are as follows: I achieved my Protea Colours in 2002 when I was selected as part of the official South African Team to represent the country at the WKF World Championships held in Novisad, Yugoslavia. On an international level my highest achievement to date was winning a bronze medal in the Senior Men’s Shotokan Kata division at the 4th WUKF Seniors and Veterans Karate World Championships held in Lignano, Italy during May 2011.
Over and above teaching karate and also competing, I have refereed at many local, provincial and national tournaments. I became a member of the SASKA Shihan Kai committee in December 2008 after being awarded my Yondan (4th Dan Black belt) by our style head, Shihan Koos Burger. I was awarded 5th Dan in 2015 by Shihan Koos Burger.
My word of advice to aspiring Karateka out there:-Train! Train hard! And if at first you don’t succeed then train harder and let karate become a part of your life, like it has mine.
Contact Details – Sensei Nicholas 082 302 8637 senseingb@gmail.com

ANDREA TIEDT

My karate journey began in 1998, when I was 7 years old. After begging my parents to do a sport outside of the school curriculum, I found myself at the door of the Cobra’s karate club at Glenview Primary School, not wanting to leave as we (the girls) were allowed to train and fight with the boys! Now after two decades later, this once idea of sport has become a way of life, pushing me to limits I never imagined I could overcome. Currently, I am an instructor in the junior class where I teach twice a week with Sensei Laurent and Sensei Kaylee. I enjoy teaching this life changing art to a variety of ages, from young children to adults, passing on my passion and I believe that passing on this passion instils unique lifelong morals and values not only in myself but in the students we teach.
I have competed in various local, national and international competitions throughout my karate career. My highest achievements to date are as follows, obtaining my South African colours in Shotokan style, for the years 2009, 2011, 2013, 2016, and in 2018 where I achieved a bronze medal in individual senior ladies kumite (fighting) as well as a silver medal for team rotation fighting in ladies rotational kumite at the 7th world karate championships held in Dundee, Scotland . Over and above the international achievements I have held the best lady of the tournament for 5 years in the senior lady division at our South African Shotokan Karate Association (SASKA) National championships and in addition to competing I am an assistant chief referee for SASKA.
In addition, I currently hold a 4th Dan which was awarded to me by Shian Koos Burger, our style head in 2018.
For any inspiring future karate-ka, karate not only teaches you the art of fighting, but allows you to look inside yourself, whether inside or outside of the dojo, in order to seek perfection on one’s own character.

 

SENSEI VUYELWA QAYISO(Vuvu) — 2^nd DAN

My Karate journey started in 2006, when I was just 6 years old. My dad realized I had an interest in karate from watching a lot of karate movies. I landed myself at the Cobras Karate Club in Alberton. At the club I noticed Sensei Andrea, who was one of the instructors and a black belt. Watching her as a girl, fight just as good as a boy, inspired me to continue karate as I wanted to be just like her. At the club I was also introduced to my amazing instructors, Sensei Laurent and Sensei Nicholas, who motivated me to push until I got my black belt. Now, Karate has become part of my life. Karate has taught me a lot about myself that I did not know. It has helped me push to my limits and overcome challenges. Karate has taught me to take risks and fear nothing in life. It has showed me that anything is possible and can be achieved. Karate has also become my escape place, where I can go and relax my mind from school work. The Cobras karate club has become my second home. The Club has made me feel like I’m part of the family. I am currently a 2^nd Dan black belt and an instructor for the junior class. The best achievement in my karate life is the fact that I have the opportunity to teach beside the same people (My instructors) that inspired me in karate. I teach twice a week with Sensei Laurent, Sensei Nicholas, Sensei Andrea and Sensei Kaylee. I enjoy teaching because it has taught me confidence in myself. I teach people of all ages and my favorite has to be the young children, as young as 4 years old, because it has taught me patience and I get to tackle new challenges each lesson and have fun while teaching them. My favorite thing about teaching is that I get the opportunity to also inspire future karateka. For aspiring future karateka: A black belt is a white belt who refused to give up. Karate is not only about fighting but about self-discipline, self-control, self-confidence, self-respect and patience within yourself.

SENPAI BOKAMOSO

My karate journey started in 2014, I was 4 years old. I used to watch a lot of movies that Jackie Chan was in and his fighting skills inspired me to join karate. I asked my parents if I could join a karate club. They took me to Glenview Primary School which was where Cobras karate club used to be. Sensei Laurent and Sensei Nicholas have always pushed me to be the best version of myself. Karate has taught me a lot about myself and it also instilled discipline in me, karate has become my second home and a place I go to be at peace. Currently I’m an instructor in the junior class where I teach twice a week along side Sensei Laurent, Sensei Nicholas, Sensei Andrea, Sensei Vuyelwa, Senpai Dario and Senpai Darshal. I enjoy teaching and i teach people of all ages. My favorite part of teaching is realizing that not every student can be taught using the same way. I had to find different ways to teach them. Teaching has also taught be to be patient especially with the younger children. Throughout my years doing karate I’ve competed in national and an international competition. In 2018 I competed in an international competition which was held in Dundee Scotland. Currently I am a junior black belt and throughout my years of karate I’ve realized that karate is a way of life and it’s not about hurting others but more about defending yourself when necessary.