Cape Town Dojo

Cape Town Dojo is one of South Africa’s historic Kyokushin Karate dojos, with a history dating back to the arrival of Kyokushin in the country in the 1960s. Originally based in Sea Point, the dojo has moved between several locations and has operated from 186 Bree Street in central Cape Town for more than 15 years.

The dojo has been guided for decades by Shihan Kenny Uytenbogaardt, Shihan Mike Shuttleworth and Shihan Jason Dawes. Shihan Kenny, 8th Dan, Chairman of I.K.O Africa and a member of the International Committee of Kyokushinkaikan, began karate in 1965 and started Kyokushin in 1966 under Shihan Len Barnes.

A former South African Kyokushin Open Champion in both contact and non-contact divisions, Shihan Kenny remained undefeated in these titles for five consecutive years. In 1981 he won gold at the SA Games, while at the 1984 World Championship in Japan he reached the top 16 and was the third-highest non-Japanese competitor. He was awarded 8th Dan in 2015.

His close relationship with Sosai Mas Oyama and extensive technical knowledge have made him a respected Kyokushin instructor worldwide. Since the 1970s, he has also played an important role in developing Kyokushin Karate in townships and rural communities across South Africa and Africa.

Shihan Mike Shuttleworth and Shihan Jason Dawes, both 5th Dan graded in Tokyo in 2014, have trained directly under Shihan Kenny for more than 20 years. The dojo’s instructors and fighters include experienced competitors such as Xolani Gumede, Jono Williams, Jason Dawes and Gcobani Maxama, with multiple World Championship appearances. Sensei Nicole Thiel, a multiple South African Kata Champion, leads kata training.

Training includes full-contact Kyokushin Karate, kihon, kata, kumite, physical conditioning and competition preparation, combining South Africa’s long Kyokushin tradition with ongoing international connections and training in Japan.