Hans Haupt, the father of the Tenshinkan South Africa Pavilion, has passed away.
Hans Hanshi, who had the honor of being the first Westerner to enter Tenshinkan-ryu in 1976, passed away on March 6th at the age of 77 after a battle with cancer.
He was born Johannes Zacharias Haupt and left behind a son, Hans. His wife Marie Christian died in December 2022.
He was honored on April 6th by close friends and family, and on April 7th at the South African Tenshinkan at Honmbu Dojo in Linfield.
A Benoni legend, he was described as an outstanding person, a loving husband, and a successful businessman.
“In his passing, we mourn the loss of a light of strength, generosity and passion. His love for his wife was a testament to dedication and commitment, and that love blossomed through life's challenges. His bond with his children was one of unwavering support, guidance, and endless pride.”
the beginning
Hanshi Hanshi began his martial arts career in judo in 1958 and earned his black belt in 1963 at the Kawaishi Judo Institute in Johannesburg.
However, he shifted his focus to karate and began training in Shotokan karate in 1964. After being promoted to his first black belt, he took time off to earn a B-Com degree and in 1970 studied with Sensei Tony van der Laan, Sensei Ampie Pretorius, and Sensei Ampie Pretorius. I resumed his training below. Stan MacAskill.
He then went on to train with Scotsmen Bruce Lee and Robert Kane before traveling to England for their honeymoon with Marie Christian. During his stay, he trained in London under the famous Keinosuke Enokida Sensei, where he was promoted to 3rd Dan.
After his exploits in England, he extended his honeymoon to Japan to fulfill his lifelong dream of studying martial arts in the land of the rising sun.
Japan
He lived in Japan for two years and trained under various teachers in kobudo, jiu-jitsu, and karate. However, his perspective on karate changed when he heard about Kancho Miwa no Mori, who lived in a village deep in the mountains and practiced a unique martial art.
Under Director Kanshi, Hanshi Hans learned the golden rule that there are three ways to improve at Tenshinkan Karate: practice and study, practice and study some more, and practice some more until perfection.
Return to SA
Hanshi Hanshi was promoted to 3rd Dan under Kancho Sensei. He returned to SA in 1977 and introduced Tenshinkan Karate in the same year.
He helped expand Tenshinkan into a global style, introducing it to countries such as America, Denmark, and Australia.
He served as Tenshinkan Karate's World Liaison Officer, Supreme Branch Officer, and Chief Western World Instructor.
“My father taught countless students at his own karate school and other schools in Benoni and SA. He has had a positive impact on the lives of many people over the years.” said his son Hans.
Hans Hanshi was 9th dan in Tenshinkan, 3rd dan in Ryukyu Kobudo Preservation Shinkakukai, and 3rd dan in Shotokan Karate.
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