Kushido

In 1978 Shihan Lawrence started training in Kodokan Judo and in October that same year started training in Karate Do at the Plumstead dojo. He was 9 years old at the time.

In 1979 he participated in his first Judo inter schools competition and in 1980 participated in his first Karate Do demonstration at the National Championships in Cape Town.

1983 Competed in his first Karate Do Championships.

1984 Began teaching Karate do and attended his first Gashuku at Ten Einde Farm in Stilbaai.

1985 Was graded to Senior 5^th level Green Belt from Junior Blue belt 3^rd level.

1988 Achieved 9.5 average in the Brown Belt category at the National Championships.

1988 Graded Shodan at the age of 19 years.

1990 Graded Nidan and awarded Western Province colours each year from 1990 to 1999.

1991 Awarded Regional Judge status.

1992 Awarded Provincial Judge status.

1993 Graded Sandan.

1994 Began training in Tai Chi Chuan under the instruction of Hanshi Denis St John Thomson.

1995 Taught at the Weapons Festival.

1996 Graded Yondan

1997 Began teaching Tai Chi Chuan.

Awarded Championship status at the National Championships.

1998 Became head of Plumstead dojo.

Awarded Provincial referee status.

1999 Awarded Sifu in Tai Chi Chuan.

2003 Taught at the 40^th Anniversary Gashuku in 2003 in Stellenbosch led by Hanshi Denis St John Thomson.

Graded Godan.

2004 Inducted into the South African Karate and Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

2004 Taught at the South African Gashuku held in Stellenbosch.

2004 Awarded Shihan.

2005 Taught at the Weapons Gashuku in Cape Town

Initiated the systemization of the Kushido Kobudo syllabus

2006 Judged the Kobudo division at the Goju Ryu Festival in Bellville

2006 Taught at the 20^th anniversary of the Swiss International Gashuku

2007 2008 2009 2010 Taught at all the South African Gashuku held in Cape Town

2008 Taught in the United Kingdom at the Bagshot dojo.

2010 Began teaching as Head Instructor at Honbu dojo, Cape Town.

2010 Awarded the title of Chief Instructor.

2011 Graded Rokudan (6^th Dan)

2011 Taught at the Riverside Dojo in Gauteng.

2011 Invited to teach at the 25^th Anniversary International Gashuku in Switzerland.

Shihan Lawrence has a wealth of experience and is a not only a teacher of Karate Do, but also Tai Chi Chuan and Kobudo (traditional Okinawan weapons)