Current Information: 

 

Vice Chairperson and instructor to the Kenshikaikan Karate-do Association, in South Africa. Senpai Bernadine is currently a 3rd dan black belt karateka which she obtained in New York, USA in October, 2009.  Senpai Bernadine, with 16 years experience in karate has been a full time instructor and co – owner of her dojo’s and programs in Gauteng for 12 years now. Responsibilities of running the programs are shared with Sensei Shaun 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: 

Senpai Bernadine Burgess attended the Kensington Ridge Primary School in Kensington and Queens High School in Bezhuidenhout Valley, Johannesburg and finished her studies in 1999.  

 

Karate experiences and qualifications, in brief:

 

IFK Kyokushinkai Karate:

Instructor: Shihan Steven Helm (5th dan) and Sensei Shaun Burgess (4th dan)

Trained under other teachers: Hanshi Steve Arneil (9th dan – Founder); Shihan Eddy Gabathuler (5th dan).

Senpai obtained her 1st kyu rank (adv. brown belt): 2000

 

Seido Juku Karate:

Instructor: Shihan Solly Said (6th dan)

Trained under other teachers: Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura (9th dan – Founder); Kyoshi Akira Nakamura (5th dan); Kyoshi George Wong (5th dan) 

Senpai obtained shodan rank: 2002

 

Kenshikai Karate: 

Instructors: Shuseki Shihan William Oliver (7th dan); Shihan Monte Allen (6th dan); Shihan Leighton Barker (6th dan); Shihan Paul Sookdar (6th dan).

Senpai obtained nidan rank: 2005

Senpai obtained sandan rank: 2009 

 

Accomplishments in and outside of the dojo include:

 

2003 Competed in the Seido International Championships (Sydney, Australia)

2008 Placed first in mixed ladies kumite (Sao Paulo, Brazil) 

2009 Placed third in ladies middle – weight kumite (Rochester, NY, USA)