Dorfman Karate Report 2008

KWF EUROPE CUP - May 2008

The karate dojos of Malcolm Dorfman in Parktown North and Shane Dorfman in Norwood have both a tradition and history of outstanding results and May 2008 was no exception. The members of the national team from the Malcolm & Shane Dorfman Dojos returned to South Africa laden with medals and trophies attained at the KWF Europe Cup which was held in Torino (Italy). Every competitor from the Dorfman dojos received at least one medal or trophy. For the 2 days prior to the tournament, the members attended an informative technical seminar given by Yahara Shihan, the legendary Japanese chief instructor of the Karatenomichi World Federation (KWF).

Special plaques for their efforts in promoting true traditional karate throughout the world were presented by KWF Italy to Mikio Yahara Shihan (Japan), Akihito Isaka Shihan (Japan), Malcolm Dorfman Shihan (South Africa), Robert Sidoli Shihan (United Kingdom) and Norio Kawasaki Sensei (Japan). Unfortunately, Shane Dorfman Sensei was unable to receive his award due to business commitments preventing him from attending.

The South African unison kata A-team of Kevin Croft, Nick Baker and Nic Georgiadis beat Russia to take the team title and in the individual category, team captain Kevin Croft missed out by 0.1 to take the Open Senior Kata title. The young South African B-team of Prianka Pillay, Austen Parfitt and Olivia Bamford took 3rd place after initially drawing for 2nd place with Russia. World Junior champion Prianka Pillay took two medals in the individual categories, gold in kata and bronze in kumite (female 14/15 yrs). Sarah Deeb in her international debut became kata champion in the Female 12/13 year category. Austen Parfitt added to his tally of medals over the past years with the addition of a 2nd place medal in the Male 14/15 year category and Robert Lindsay won his first international kumite medal with a 2nd place in the Male 12/13 category.

KWF South Africa Chief Instructor Malcolm Dorfman stated that the results of the South African team and especially those from the members of the Malcolm & Shane Dorfman Dojos was most gratifying and a just reward for the tremendous amount of time and effort put into training and preparation. The South African team outshone the other countries and made a significant impression in Italy.

The results of the KWF EUROPE CUP were as follows:

Team Kata:

1st: South Africa A (Kevin Croft, Nick Baker, Nic Georgiadis)
3rd: South Africa B (Austen Parfitt, Prianka Pillay, Olivia Bamford)

Senior Individual Kata:

2nd: Kevin Croft (4th place –Nick Baker)

Junior Kata

1st: Prianka Pillay (Female 14/15 years)
1st: Sarah Deeb (Female 12/13 years)

Junior Kumite

2nd: Austen Parfitt (Male 14/15 years)
2nd: Robert Lindsay (Male 12/13 years)
3rd: Prianka Pillay (Female 14/15 years)


June to November 2008

With hardly time to celebrate this international success, two weeks after their return, the Dorfman team added to their glory by attaining 21 gold medals and SA titles at the KWF South Africa National Championship in the various age categories. And if this was not enough, the other Dorfman team members took a further 16 silver medals (2nd place) and 24 bronze medals (3rd place).

The prestigious SA Senior Black Belt Male Kata title was comfortably taken by Europe Cup runner-up, Kevin Croft and Jadi Mgandela became SA Senior Black Belt Female Kumite Champion. The Europe Cup team kata champions, Kevin Croft, Nick Baker, Nic Georgiadis, took the SA Championship team title. Austen Parfitt, Rory Moses and Prianka Pillay won the Youth (U-18 years) team kata category. Grand Champion titles, i.e. winner of both kata (form) and kumite (fighting) were achieved by Prianka Pillay (Girls 1992), Rory Moses (Boys 1991) and Dean Heyman (Boys 1995). Austen Parfitt (1992) took gold for kumite and missed taking the Grand Champion title by losing in the kata final by a split decision. Two gold medals were taken by Sarah Deeb (1995) to add to her Europe medal. The development sections, Intermediate, Novice and Kiddies produced the remaining gold medallists, Khetiwe Kingston (2002), Judd Silverman (2001), Demetria Petropoulos (2000), Dhievesh Thambiran (2000), Courtney McLean (1999), Christopher Ching (1998), Kirsten Schumacher (1997) & Gal Ladany (1996) ensuring a strong and bright future for the Dorfman Dojos. 

The annual Dorfman Karate Championship and Tough Kid competition held in Johannesburg at the end of the year was a major success. This is always the highlight of the year for the younger members, especially for those who were not selected for the national team. Awards for attributes other than winning tournaments were also given to various children, impressing upon them that aspects such as diligence, hard & regular training, strong spirit and good sportsmanship are the true hallmark of the karate exponent.

Preparation for the prestigious KWF Karate World Cup in Norway in March is already in progress and the members from the Dorfman Dojos that were selected for the National Team are already hard at training to ensure that the Dorfman winning tradition continues as in previous years. Senior selectees are Kevin Croft, Nicholas Georgiadis and Nicholas Baker, who took the KWF Europe title earlier in the year, and junior selectees are Austen Parfitt, Prianka Pillay, Robert Lindsay and Sarah Deeb, all of whom were either S.A. champions or KWF Europe medallists or both. Malcolm Dorfman Shihan has been honoured by the Karatenomichi World Federation by being appointed as Assistant chief referee for the World Cup. Shane Dorfman Sensei, having retired from competition karate, will not be defending his senior World title, a title he has achieved seven times. He will however be officiating as a senior referee. 


Malcolm Dorfman Shihan
Shane Dorfman Sensei