South Africa Representative to the Kenshikaikan Karate- do Association / Head Instructor. Sensei Shaun is currently a 4th dan black belt karateka which he obtained in New York, USA in 2009. Sensei, with 28 years experience in karate has been a full time instructor and co – owner of his dojo’s and programs in Gauteng for 15 years now. Responsibilities of running the programs are shared with his wife Bernadine Burgess. Their program is currently being taught at over 35 venues in Johannesburg and its surrounding areas and was established in 1996, which boasts an average annual membership of over 500 karateka, whose ages vary from 3 years old to adults.
Background:
Schooling:
Sensei Shaun Burgess attended the King Edward Primary and King Edward High School in Houghton, Johannesburg and matriculated in 1997.
Karate experiences and qualifications, in brief:
IFK Kyokushinkai Karate:
Instructor: Shihan Steven Helm (5th dan)
Trained under other teachers: Hanshi Steve Arneil (9th dan – Founder); Shihan David Pickthall (6th Dan); Shihan Nick Da Costa (6th Dan); Shihan Jeff Whybrow (6th Dan); Shihan Eddy Gabathuler (5th dan).
Sensei obtained shodan rank (1st dan): 1999
Sensei obtained nidan (2nd dan) rank: 2001
Seido Juku Karate:
Instructors: Kyoshi George Wong (5th dan) and Shihan Solly Said (6th dan)
Trained under other teachers: Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura (9th dan – Founder); Kyoshi Akira Nakamura (5th dan).
Sensei obtained shodan rank (1st dan): 2002
Sensei obtained nidan rank (2nd dan): 2004
Kenshikai Karate:
Instructors: Shuseki Shihan William Oliver (7th dan); Shihan Monte Allen (6th dan); Shihan Leighton Barker (6th dan); Shihan Paul Sookdar (6th dan).
Sensei obtained sandan rank (3rd dan): 2005
Sensei obtained yondan rank (4th dan): 2009
Other styles and instructors include:
Style: Japanese Karate Association (JKA)
Instructor: Sensei Les Stevens (6th dan)
Style: Ashihara Karate
Instructor: Sensei Donnie Marks (5th dan)
Accomplishments in and outside of the dojo include:
1999 Competed in the IFK Kyokushinkai European Championships (Valencia, Spain)
2000/01/02 Trained in Switzerland IFK Kyokushinkai training camps (Chur, Lucern, Bern, Switzerland)
2001 Competed in the BKK Kyokushinkai Championships (London, England)
2003 Placed second in men’s middle – weight kumite (Sydney, Australia)
2008 Placed first in mixed teams division (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
2009 Placed third in men’s middle – weight kumite (Rochester, N.Y, USA)
2010 Placed second in men’s heavy - weight kumite (Rochester, N.Y, USA)
2011 Placed second in men's heavy - weight kumite (Rochester, N.Y, USA)
2006 South African Ironman finisher
2009 New York City Marathon finisher
2008 / 2009 / 2010 / 2011 Comrades Marathon finisher
