Magua MTG Martial Arts recently celebrated an all-star weekend from September 25 to 26 as it held several remarkable events at the MTG Taekwon-Do clubs based in North Riding and Emmarentia.
The fun-filled celebrations started on September 25, with the arrival of renowned Taekwon-Do legend Grand Master Trevor Nicholls (9th Dan) from the United Kingdom, who serves as vice president of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) and also mentored the head of the MTG clubs, Master Norman Magua.

Magua’s brother, Dennis Magua, who resides in Canada, also returned to South Africa to surprise his brother ahead of his remarkable 8th Dan grading later that afternoon. The unexpected reunion between the brothers was an emotional event. Magua highlighted that his highly anticipated grading almost did not happen due to an injury in which he suffered a bulging disc in his lower spine two weeks prior.

Despite the challenges the injury presented, which threatened to halt his dreams and weeks of preparation, through intense physiotherapy and determination, he managed to push through and successfully pass the scope of the art, ranking 8th Dan. This victory earned him the highest-ranking ITF-style Taekwon-Do grading ever received on South African terrain.

Magua explained what went through his mind after being announced as an 8th Dan.

“I was very happy and relieved. After all the preparation and putting it on the line, it was great to relax and enjoy the moment. It was so special to me to have both my mentor and brother present there along with my wife, kids and some black belt students. It really made the experience unforgettable,” he said.

The festivities continued on September 26, when a seminar led by 65-year-old Nicholls took place at the BAPS Hindu Centre Gymnasium in North Riding. Attendees and participants from the grading on Friday got the opportunity to experience the great grand master’s element and watched his hard-hitting techniques and tips first-hand despite his recent hip surgery. They wholeheartedly immersed themselves in the opportunity of being instructed by the grand master and Master Dennis, with a number of black belts assisting. Magua shared what the experience felt like and praised the master for his abilities.

“With seemingly little effort, while still talking and still looking at us, he smashed multiple boards using both hand and kicking techniques – feats that typically require immense physical psyching-up and exertion from younger black belts. His wisdom and humility are true testaments to him, and we at Taekwon-Do South Africa being privileged to have such a genuine grand master as our mentor is not taken for granted,” Magua said.

Magua and his wife and head instructor, Tanya, both turned 50 this year and concluded the celebrations on a high note surrounded by family and friends with cake at a local restaurant. Their eldest son, who holds a 1st-degree black belt, returned and trained at the seminar after years off the floor, while their youngest assisted with his photography skills at the event.

Magua shared that the weekend of endless celebrations served as a reminder of the firm and supportive community it has formed within the clubs.

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