Hanshi Nigel Sessions (Soke) 8th Dan Ju-Jitsu
Nigel met and started training under Professor Charles B Gaven in 1974, initially in judo and later in Ju-jitsu. He has been a member of the Tokyokai Bu-Jitsu club and a member of the South African Ju-Jitsu Association since 1974 and a member of the University of Cape Town Ju-Jitsu Club from 1977 to 1982.
He held the positions of Vice-President, Senior Instructor, Chief Instructor, served on the Technical Panel of the South African Ju-Jitsu Association (SAJJA) and presently serves as President of the SAJJA and Chairman of the Tokyokai Bu-Jitsu Club.
He achieved Shodan status in 1982. While a member of the University of Cape Town Ju-Jitsu club he became the first university student in its history to be awarded Full Blues for Ju-Jitsu. Nigel assisted by senior instructors of the SAJJA coaches the UCT Ju-Jitsu club.
On completing his degree Nigel was drafted into the Engineering Corps of the South African Army and rose to the rank of full lieutenant.
Nigel achieved the grade of Nidan (2nd Dan) in 1985 and was also the first black belt student to complete Hanshi Gaven’s Instructorship course and to be awarded grading powers in 1985. In 1997 Nigel achieved the grade of Sandan.
In August 2001, a few weeks prior to his death Professor Gaven promoted Nigel to Rokudan and named him as his successor and inheritor (Soke)
Nigel is a Council Member of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council, Registered with the Police Tactics Instructors of America, the Africa Secretary of the All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation, Honorary Life Member of the Federal Alliance Bu-Jitsu of Russia and Honorary Life Member of the International Federation of Martial Arts & Oriental Medicine Busokan Institute USA and Life Member of the All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation.
He currently holds the ranks of Hachidan Ju-Jitsu from the All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation.
Sensei Mark Smith 4th Dan Ju-Jitsu
Mark commenced training under Hanshi Chas. B. Gaven in 1994, he also at that time started training at the University of Cape Town club. He has been a member of the Tokyokai Bu-Jitsu club, University of Cape Town Ju-Jitsu club and the South African Ju-Jitsu Association since 1994. From 1996 he assisted Hanshi Gaven with coaching at the UCT club and was awarded honoury life membership of UCT Ju-Jitsu club in 1999.
Mark achieved the rank of Shodan in Ju-Jitsu during 2001 and became an authorised instructor in the same year. He was later awarded the position of head coach of the South African Ju-Jitsu Association.
In 2010 Mark achieved the rank of Yondan in Ju-Jitsu , which was recognised internationally by the All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation in addition Mark holds a Life Member of the All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation.
Sensei Giles Embelton 4th Dan Ju-Jitsu
Giles began training Ju-Jitsu at the UCT Ju-Jitsu club in 1989 under Chas B Gaven. In 1991 he was made chairperson of the UCT club. In 1993 he was awarded the University Special merit award for Ju-Jitsu. He began training at the Tokyokai club in 1991. He assisted with the setting up and coaching of a Ju-jitsu club at the University of Stellenbosch at this time as well. In 1995 Giles was awarded his Half Blues (colours) in Ju-Jitsu by the University of Cape Town.
In 1997 Giles was awarded the rank of Shodan by Chas B Gaven. He was also made an authorised junior Instructor in the Gaven-Ryu. The following year he was awarded full blues (colours) by the University of Cape Town. In 1999 he was made a full instructor with corresponding grading powers in the Gaven-Ryu.
In 2001 Giles was awarded his Yodan in Ju-Jitsu by Chas B Gaven. He is currently residing in Johannesburg where he trains with various local clubs. He has been appointed as Honourary vice-president of the South African Ju-Jitsu federation and has a life time membership if the All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation
Sensei Muya Koloko 2nd Dan Ju-Jitsu
Muya commenced training under Soke Nigel Sessions, Sensei Mark Smith and Sensei Giles Embleton in 2003 in Ju-Jitsu.
He has been a member of the Tokyokai Bu-Jitsu club, University of Cape Town Ju-Jitsu club and the South African Ju-Jitsu Association since 2003.
He held the positions of Chair, and Vice Chair of the UCT Ju-Jitsu club and is currently the club’s liaison with the SAJJA and Tokyokai Bu-Jitsu club as well as being an instructor.
Muya achieved Shodan status in 2008 and was also awarded Full Blues for Ju-Jitsu by the University of Cape Town in the same year. He is only the 4th recipient of this award since the University club was established in 1976.
He currently holds the rank of Nidan Ju-Jitsu which is recognized by the All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation. In addition Muya holds a Life Member of the All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation.
Sensei Craig Sylvester 1st Dan Ju-Jitsu
Craig commenced training under Soke Nigel Sessions and Sensei Mark Smith after joining the Tokyokai Bu-Jitsu club in 2002; three years later he embarked on a junior instructor mentorship and assisted with coaching at UCT.Craig achieved junior instructor status in 2008 on receiving his brown belt. Two years later Craig became the 27th member of the South African Ju-Jitsu Association to achieve shodan grade, in its 82 years of existence and qualified as an instructor. Craig’s grade is recognised by the All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation and he is a Life Member of the All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation.
