Personal Details Born on 5th March 1972 Resides in Amanzimtoti, Durban, South Africa Married to Aileen Cusens Children - 2 boys (Bradley + Dylan) Religion - Christian Weight 95kg's Started training in 1976 Profession - Full time Martial Arts Coach/Student
Morne Swanepoel
Morne being awarded first place at the South African Amateur Wrestling Championships
The early days....... Born in 1972, Morne started his training at 4 years old when his father enrolled him at the local Amateur Wrestling school. After 5 years Morne achieved his local championships, Provincial colors and became National champion in Amateur Wrestling. During this time Morne also started training in Karate and experimented with some Boxing. After receiving top honors in Wrestling Morne focused all his attention on Karate training in styles such as JKA(Shotokan), Funakoshi, Koryu Uchinadi but mainly focusing on styles/systems such as Goju Kai Karate and Yuishinkai Kobujutsu. Morne spent most of his teenage years training and competing in Karate. During his competitive Karate days he was trained by top instructors such as Sensei Neil Lindsay (Goju), Shihan Pikkas Windell(Goju), Sensei Dennis Watson(JKA, Funakoshi), Sensei Johan van Niekerk(Goju). While training under the watchful eye of Sensei Dennis Watson, Morne (then 18 years old) was elected as the team manager for the Transvaal Funakoshi Junior Karate team at the SA All Styles Karate Championships. He also spent many years as a referee and arbitrator at Karate tournaments throughout South Africa.
The growing days...... After completing school, Morne worked for Auto & General insurance while running a full time club in Kibler Park (Johannesburg South).During this time Morne started training Tai Chi under Sifu Winkin Leong in Robertsham. It was due to various injuries in Karate that Morne did some research and found that Tai Chi would be the equalizer to balance out the rigid Karate training. Sifu Winkin Leong introduced Morne to Yuishinkai Kobujutsu which is a non competitive form of traditional Karate (various styles) and Kobudo (Okinawan weapons). While managing his club in Kibler Park, Morne religiously trained several times a day with Sifu/Sensei Winkin Leong in Tai Chi and YuishinKai Kobujutsu. Morne was then introduced to the head of the system here in South Africa, Shihan Eddie Jardine and trained with him at his headquarters in Bedfordview. Morne trained for 10 years with Shihan Eddie Jardine becoming one of his senior instructors and achieving multiple Dan rankings. Morne also graded in Tokyo, Japan for his 3rd Dan in YuishinKai Kobujutsu under the watchful eye of Hanshi Kisho Inoue. During this time Morne started teaching seminars at various Martial Art schools throughout South Africa. Sifu/Sensei Winkin Leong also handed the Wits University dojo over to Morne to head. Morne taught both Tai Chi and Yuishinkai Kobujutsu at Wits university for 7 years.
Morne teaching Yuishinkai Kobujutsu at Wits University
Morne teaching a seminar on the West Rand of Johannesburg
