As an eight Dan black belt and 19-time World Champion, shihan Sandra Louw proves age is no barrier to greatness. With her latest gold medal win in Scotland, this martial arts legend continues to break boundaries.
In the world of martial arts, few names carry as much weight as shihan Sandra Louw (62), an eight Dan black belt master and a revered figure in the karate community. Sandra is not only known for her impressive 19 world championship titles spanning from Europe, Asia and Africa, but also for her commitment to teaching and empowering others.
Sandra has lived karate, not only as a sport but as a philosophy, and she has transformed herself into one of the most renowned martial artists.
A passion for life beyond medals
Born in Mozambique in 1962, Sandra moved to South Africa at the age of 12 where she first settled with her family in an apartment in the Johannesburg city centre. It wasn’t long before they moved to their current home in Ormonde, Johannesburg south.
At 15, Sandra’s life took another turn, leading her down a path that would shape the rest of her journey. She shares: ‘A high school friend invited me to try out karate and from that moment on, I was hooked. Funny enough, that same friend’s grandsons now train with me in my dojo.’
Sandra’s motivation comes from a pure love of life and living. In the 1980s, karate was much different from what it is today. Sandra trained under strict traditional styles, where the focus wasn’t just on your physical ability but on embodying the art itself and its values which are; patience, discipline, humility, loyalty and commitment.
‘To this day those values have stayed with me,’ she reflects. ‘Competition for me has never been about winning medals but rather about doing something for myself, building a legacy and being an example and role model.’
When Sandra first walked into a dojo at 15, she was struck by the strict, disciplinarian style of the training. “These days it’s different but I maintain some of the old ways in my dojo today. I loved the structure and hierarchy that karate offered, the path of righteousness and the mental training.’
A moment of glory
Sandra’s competitive career has been filled with unforgettable moments but one moment stands out as a pivotal event: the time she was fighting against an Australian opponent at the world championships.
She explains: ‘As my opponent came in for an attack, I delivered a powerful punch that was highly effective and she was knocked unconscious. I was disqualified from the fight and lost, but my Master Kimira, who was the chief instructor of Shukokai called me aside that evening and presented me with a bottle of Sake (Japanese wine) and said ‘That was the punch of the decade’.’
Overcoming discrimination
In the early years, women were not allowed to compete in fighting (kumite) competitions and were limited to formwork (kata).
As a woman in a male-dominated sport, Sandra faced many challenges, including discrimination, biased judgments and unfair treatment. However, she was determined not to let these barriers affect her performance.
‘I decided to never let those issues affect my fighting. I had to be so good that there was no way anyone could be unfair towards me,’ expresses Sandra. ‘I trained my body and mind to become the best of the best and always stood up for myself.
Karate gives us the confidence to do that and to this day, the respect stands.’
Building a legacy and family
Sandra has not only achieved success in competition but also in coaching. As one of the few women worldwide to achieve an eighth Dan black belt, she takes her role as a mentor and educator seriously. ‘In karate we never stop learning, we are always beginners,’ emphasises Sandra.
‘Each class we enter, our minds are renewed and empty to receive more training. That’s what I try and pass on to my students. I believe it is our responsibility as teachers to present a well-rounded role model, someone who knows that balance is one of the most important things in life.’
She reflects: ‘Many years ago, I received an award three years in a row for Outstanding Citizen of the South and I believe that has a lot to do with my character and my resilience.’
Additionally, perhaps one of the most significant parts of Sandra’s journey has been sharing her love of karate with her family. She introduced her son, Ryan, to karate at the age of two and the bond they share through the art remains strong. ‘Each day Ryan would travel with me and my then husband (who was also my sensei) to the dojo and I would teach him the values of the art that I held so close to my heart.’
Despite the challenges she faced as a single mother after the divorce, Sandra found strength and solace in karate. Her son credits his business success to the values and discipline he learned through karate and now, Sandra’s grandchildren are set to continue the family legacy.
‘My two grandchildren live with my son in Cape Town and I visit them as often as I can and my legacy will continue through my grandson who is due to also start his karate journey soon at the age of three.’
Age is just a number
Sandra’s approach to fitness is a reminder that it’s never too late to start your journey. She encourages everyone regardless of age or fitness level, to take the first step. ‘It’s not about having the perfect body, it’s about starting where you are,’ she says. ‘Health is the only thing we have and if we don’t prioritise it, we’ll regret it later.’
Sandra’s dojo has seen students of all ages, from children to older adults. She recalls a grandfather of 72 who trained with his nine-year-old grandson, proving that karate and fitness in general, are for everyone.
‘I want to be part of my grandchildren’s’ lives as a grandmother, not just to watch from the sidelines,’ she said.
Sport has always been high on her list of priorities throughout her life. Her upbringing was always an active one, with her parents also being quite active.
‘I have always loved the feeling that training gave me. So I train every day, even to this day, even if it’s only 15 minutes, I make sure to get some form of activity in.’
In her competitive years and as a full-time athlete, she would train easily six hours a day. ‘These days I take it much easier and will complete one hour of training a day on most days. In the past I trained everything, from weight training to powerlifting to boxing, to gain as much experience and skills as possible. Now I train whatever I feel like training that day, from bag work to flexibility to mobility to weight training sessions.’
She highlights that it’s all about what feels good to you and what you enjoy doing. ‘Just general training is perfectly fine like we do in our ladies-only classes. Encouragement from my parents was always important,’ she adds.
Additionally, throughout her life, discipline has been a cornerstone of Sandra’s success. ‘Karate saved me from making poor choices in life. It taught me the importance of focus and that’s a lesson I pass on to my students,’ she explains.
Passing on knowledge and spreading the message
Sandra has always viewed karate through the eyes of the Samurai, taking inspiration from their philosophy of living life to its fullest. ‘The Samurai were always aware of death and this made them live their lives fully.
At 62 years old, I can tell you that life goes by much faster than we realise and by the time we open our eyes, it’s nearly over. Martial arts and karate, in particular, have taught me to live my best life as much as I can.’
One of the greatest joys Sandra experiences is seeing the light in her students’ eyes when they finally master a technique or concept. As Sandra enters the next phase of her life, her focus is on spreading the message of karate and its benefits to people of all ages.
She’s currently writing her first book and is committed to ensuring that her teachings continue to inspire others. ‘The goal is to pass on the values of karate, health and fitness to both the youth and older generations,’ she says, reflecting on her future ambitions.
In the end, Sandra Louw’s journey is about more than just karate. It’s about living life with purpose, teaching others and building a legacy that will continue for generations. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that no matter your age or where you start, it’s never too late to begin your journey of discipline, health and transformation.
Text: DESNAY PETERSON. Photo: SUPPLIED
