SHIHAN LIONEL MARINUS 8th DAN

Shihan Lionel Marinus is one of the four World Chief Instructors with Shihan’s Bill Bressaw of the USA, Eddie Daniels of England, and Chris Thompson also of South Africa.
South Africa has the unique situation of having individual Country status for the Southern Region and Northern Region, with Shihan Lionel as the Chief Instructor for the South Africa Northern Region, and Shihan Chris Thompson the Chief Instructor for the South Africa Southern Region.

Shihan Lionel started his career in Karate during 1965, and received the grade of Shodan in 1967.
During 1969 he received Natal colours and participated in the SA Games placing second, and thus being selected for the South African Springbok team to compete against Britain.
During October of 1969 Shihan Lionel captained the South African Shukokai Team at the World Championships in Paris. South Africa placed second losing to Japan. Shihan Lionel placed second in the individuals losing to Imaizumi a 4th Dan from Japan.
During 1970 he won the Natal Championships, and was chosen to represent South Africa against Italy in Savona.
In the 1971 SA Games he captained the Natal team which placed second losing to Southern Transvaal.
1972 saw Shihan Lionel again being chosen to represent South Africa at the World Championships in Paris.
He left for New York in 1973 for a year’s intensive study with Sensei Kimura, returning at the end of the year to run the Shukokai Headquarters o the corner of Commissioner & End streets, Johannesburg.
During 1974 he was graded to 4th Dan by Sensei Kimura, as well as being appointed as Chief Instructor for Shukokai South Africa.
Shihan Lionel graded to 5th Dan during Sensei Kimura’s visit in 1979.
Shihan Lionel left for the UK to study as a Chiropractor in 1980 and returned in 1984. During that time he returned to South Africa every year to perform courses and gradings.
Shihan Lionel received South African National Springbok colours during 1969, 1970 & 1972.
1986 saw Shihan Lionel Coach the South African National Team against the USA.
Early in 1987 Shihan Lionel was graded to 6th Dan and then 7th Dan during 1996. 8th Dan status was awarded during 2006.
Shihan Lionel currently instructs regularly in Southern Africa as well as in Australia and Europe.