Pikkas Windell, Kyoshi-Shihan
Vice President: South Africa Karate-Do Goju-Kai Association

Can you give us a little bit of your background here (as you feel comfortable):
Current Licence - Shihan – 1985 received from Gogen Hanshi
Current Rank.  7th Dan,  received from Saiko Shihan on  2001-12-03
Year Started.  I started my career in 1966 with Jujitsu in Johannesburg.  In 1968 started Goju-Ryu with James Rossouw Sensei.    It was only in 1978 when I decided to pursue the Goju-Kai [way of Goju-Ryu].
Birthday.  19 March 1946.
First Marriage  Two daughters
Lizelle 39 years   -   a daughter Zoé
Yolandi 34 years  - a son 2 ½ years and a daughter – 4 months old
 My eldest daughter did karate and was a junior Shodan.  Represented Southern Transvaal All Styles seven times at All Styles SA Championships.
Second Marriage
Wife - Ricky
Two stepsons
AJ Smith  34 years  -  a son  Connor – 8 years
Rudi Smith  30 years  - a daughter  Tayla-Jane – almost 4 years
After running my Dojo in Mondeor, Gauteng for 37 years I handed it over to Sensei Leon Jansen van Rensburg and it has now been going for 40 years this year.  I have now retired to Scottburgh on the South Coast, in KwaZulu-Natal, but I am still involved in Goju-Kai on National level.
 
Could you tell us, a little bit about HOW and WHY you decided to learn Goju-Ryu, and in particular the Yamaguchi Way?
When most people start karate no one really understands anything about “style”.  The only thing you want to do is karate and to see whether you like the sport.  It is only later on that you find your way towards the one style you want to dedicate yourself to.  After we broke away from Goju-Ryu in 1978 and started Goju-Kai with the Yamaguchi family, I finally realized that this style was much more advanced and technical than any other karate style being practiced and that Goju-Kai was what I wanted to do.  Goju-Kai isand has always been a challenge.

Could you share some memories of your early days…
In 1969 I participated in a Yoyogi tournament in Japan and I managed to end second as a green belt. (photo 2) Meeting a lot of karatekas in Goju-Kai as well as others in all styles was a good experience.  We built up friendships which have lasted all this time.   I met Nigel Jackson and Eddy Dorey Sensei of JKA in Japan in 1969 and we are still good friends and stay in contact with each other. I feel that no matter what karate style you do, that all karate styles should be part of one family.

I saw an Ushiro Mawashi Geri scored at a JKA Tournament in  1973 to the chest of an opponent.  I then went back to my Dojo and trained the kick for two years and perfected it with my right leg.  At tournaments the spectators cheered for me to kick my opponent with the "Pikkas" special.

I toured Rhodesia during 1974/1975 with the Goju-Ryu team as the Captain and the team won the Gold Medal.   Opening a dojo for me, was a start to something big and to be able to teach children the discipline and karate traditions which we stillapply today, was my main focus.  I enjoyed going on Gasku's training with different techniques in different environmental conditions.  Training with Sensei Glen Popham as my instructor at Goju-Ryu was something you do not forget.  He was one of the hardest instructors I ever trained under and he took no prisoners. He instilled a "never say die" attitude in me and this was with me all my life. Westayed friends until he passed away.

I received my Springbok colours in 1973 but we could not participate in the Championships in Manila because of political pressure they cancelled our Visa's and we could not enter.  In 1975 I officially received my Springbok Colours when we participated in the All-Styles World Championships in Long beach California, America where I ended in the top 16 karatekas.  From there we went to Belgium for a team event and we beat them.  At this event I met Sensei Peter Harms with whom I am still friends.  As from 1978 wheneverI trained in Japan, Peter Brandon Hanshi was there most of the time training with me.  I must admit that those times were good times and a highlight in my life.  The first time I went overseas to train and study karate was surely one of the greatest days for me.  Memories of the first time a Japanese team came to South Africa in 1977 to fight a Goju-Ryu team and us beating them in a 3-way test series (photo 3 and 4), many of my karatekas who trained with me at my Mondeor Dojo obtained their All-Styles Transvaal and South African champion colours and Rodney Mahon who also trained with me received his Springbok colours comes to mind. Peter Brandon Hanshi and I also had the opportunity to train with Ticky Donovan the British Coach in Cape Town in the early days

In 1983 Sensei Malcolm Dorfman from JKA  and myself organized a team event at the National All Styles Championships at Durban.  The current Springboks – at the time – had to fight against the old Springboks. (photo 4) We (as the old Springboks) gave them 10 years each as individuals.  The old Springbok team was Sensei Rob Ferrier (JKA), SenseiMalcolm Dorfman (JKA), the late Derek Geyer (JKA) and I.  We beat the then current Springbok team 7 – 1.  They were Sensei's Danie Ludick, Keith Geyer, Neil Roberts and Eugene Roets.There is one event that I will always remember.  On 7 April 1984 an Invitation Springbok team took part in a Northern Transvaal Prestige Tournament.  A Botswana, Northern Transvaal, Inter-Forces and an overseas mixed team took part.  I was the chief referee.  Sensei Keith Geyer never turned up to compete so Sensei Danie Ludick came to me and asked if I could please fight for the Springboks.  After discussions with the tournament director, Joe Nel, Iwas allowed to fight.  To my mind nothing like this has ever taken place in the world, where a chief referee enters a tournament and wins a gold medal.  For me this was quite an exhilarating experience. (photo 5)Could you please share with us some about your very early Goju-days pre-IKGA
 At first I liked Goju-Ryu and enjoyed karate immensely.  Then I became very committed and after a group of 18 of us returned from Japan after 3 months’ training with Higaonna Sensei I opened a Dojo in Mondeor, Johannesburg in October 1969.  The training we underwent in Japan left us stronger in body, mind and soul.  It was gruelling and relentless and we truly learned the meaning of respect on all levels of life. I enjoyed Goju-Kai because our Japanese instructors such as Saiko Shihan, Kikuchi Shihan, Masatoshi Shihan, Ohira Shihan and many other instructors whom we met on our journey are very special people of our karate family.

What were your impressions at Hombu Dojo when you first arrived there, and how was what the training like?
We were in Japan, which was a fantastic experience and just to train at the Hombu Dojo in Japan was and will always be a wonderful experience and an honour.  Training with Saiko Shihan and the others was daunting, exhilarating and filled me with awe.  While we were training with the sweat pouring down our faces, Gogen Yamaguchi Kaiso was there watching us.  I always felt that he liked to watch us South African students as we trained very hard and could take and give back any challenge which came our way.  Training went on for ever and it was nothing like today.  It was hard work and somehow it was like an unwritten law that you just never gave up, but the spirit of karate was alive and well and this was part of the ethics which Gogen Yamaguchi Kaiso put in place and which Saiko Shihan has maintained.

At that time, who were the main instructors at Hombu Dojo?
At that time Saiko Shihan was the main instructor and I had the honour of always training with him.  The other instructors were Futawatari Shihan, Yamada Shihan and Masatoshi Shihan. 

How regularly do you / have you been back now?
I visited Japan 6 times.  The 1st time was with Goju-Ryu and other 5 times with Goju-Kai. I spent all my spare time doing Karate.  I ran my own dojo but also had a permanent career which was always sport related.Could you please share with us, some of fond memories you have of Gogen Yamaguchi-Kaiso?
I met Gogen Yamaguchi-Kaiso in 1969 at the Budo-Kan Hall at a tournament. (photo 1)  He was an amazing man, quiet, unassuming and always focussed.  It was the most amazing thing to watch him sit up straight and motionless and his back never ever touched the back of a chair.  His concentration and willpower was incredible.  He had this aura of authority and I respected that man totally.   What I will never forget was when we had a meeting with him and the other instructors in 1978 about our karate constitution.  After long discussions accompanied by the translations, this meeting was concluded by Saiko Shihan who told us in no uncertain terms “My father is the Constitution” and that was that.  This statement for me was the essence of Gogen Yamaguchi-Kaiso.  Shopping with Gogen Yamaguchi Kaiso was a killer, as he walked very slowly and under no circumstances were you allowed to pass him or walk in front of him.  This was law and I do not think any such thought of disobedience ever crossed my mind in any case.

What does Goju-Kai in South Africa look like today? Please give us some facts about your branch of the IKGA, but also about your new adopted province/region in KZN.
Since we joined Goju-Kai in 1978 I have seen a lot of changes.  Administration is done on a higher level as before,  and the standard of Goju-Kai has greatly improved as can be seen at National Gradings and it is run in a very professional manner. My adopted province KwaZulu-Natal is improving slowly but surely.  Sensei Jade Padayachee with the help from the other instructors, is doing the best that he can.

You were very actively involved in the All-Styles arena in South Africa and abroad...care to elaborate?
For many years I was involved as Chairman of the Southern Transvaal Province All-styles.  Besides my personal achievements as mentioned before, I received my International Referees grading in 1972.  I was also Chief referee in South Africa as well as Goju-Kai National coach for many years. I firmly believe in the camaraderie of karate, where possible I kept the spirit of teambuilding alive and well. It was and still is important to feel that you belong and are not just an individual.  For 15 years I was the Chairman for the SA Police Services All-styles as well as their coach and chief referee for the SAPS National Team.  I have dedicated my life to promote All-stylesin the SAPS and keep the sport going on a high level.  I took the SAPS All-styles National team on two tours : one to Germany, Italy and France and the second one was to Bulgaria.  In 2005 I was chosen to represent the SA Police Services in karate in the Police and Fire Games in Quebeque, but due to unforeseen circumstances we did not attend, which was one of the great disappointments in my life.

What kinds of things do you pay attention to when you are instructing or explaining?
As many of my students were young I concentrated on the basics of karate and technique.  The correct use of the hips is extremely important in technique.   Students have to at least know the Japanese terms when taking part in training sessions.  There is a need in the young to attain a strong steadfast character and to show respect for their instructors.   The precision of the Goju-Kai style has always been very important to me.  Without the dedication to know and understand the basics, technique will suffer in the long run.

Your favorite Kata and/or technique and the reason?
Sanchin and Tensho Katas are by far my favorite two katas.  Sanchin means 'three battles' being accepted as the body, the mind and the spirit and Tensho means 'flowing hands', which is a combination of hard dynamic tension with deep breathing and soft flowing hand movements, concentrating strength in the lower stomach.  Personally I find that correct breathing enhances the art of karate and helps my concentration.

Do you have any last words of advice?
Nothing in this world that is worthwhile comes for free.  In order to succeed in any sport you have to train and train hard with total commitment to your style.  Jumping from one style to another will ensure only one thing and that is that you will never know a chosen style fully.  You have to choose your style, dedicate yourself to it and enjoy it.   I loved the Goju-Kai style and therefore I dedicated myself to it and with hard work and perseverance I have achieved what I wanted.  If you give your best you cannot go wrong and, as time goes on, you will achieve your ultimate goal.

 

Any Other Questions or comments you would like to add and answer would be greatly appreciated.
One thing that I have noticed is that teams no longer travel together.  Almost everyone go to tournaments in their own transport and I feel that this does not build team spirit.  Team spirit for me is the one thing that makes a winning team. It builds a bond between team members and this makes them strong.  Instructors must make sure that their students know the basics well and keep to the old traditions, for this is the cornerstone of karate.  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © Pikkas Windell Kyoshi-Shihan, Eugene Kitney-sensei & "The Goju-Kai Fan", All rights Reserved

This article is the intellectual property of Pikkas Windell Kyoshi-Shihan, Eugene Kitney-sensei and "The Goju-Kai Fan"...you may not reproduce our articles online or in print without first obtaining written permission. Please contact the author or administrator to obtain his or her written consent. Once you receive permission from the author, contact us to let us know where and when the article will be reprinted. Goju-Kai Fan articles cannot be reprinted without obtaining author permission and notifying the magazine.