Dear Members, Friends and Family

It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the unexpected and sudden passing of our beloved HANSHI HANS.

Hanshi Hans Haupt, 9th Dan.

Hanshi Hans Haupt held the unique distinction that he was the first Westerner to discover and to be initiated into the Tenshinkan Karate style (1976).

Hans Haupt holds the honourable title of HANSHI and has been awarded the honourable positions of:

World Liaisons Officer and Chief Branch Officer for Tenshinkan Karate.

Western World Chief Instructor for Tenshinkan Karate.

Chief Instructor for Tenshinkan Karate South Africa.

Hanshi Hans Haupt is currently ranked:

9th Dan in Tenshinkan Karate which includes Karate / Goshin-Jitsu (Aikido & Jui Jitsu) and Kobujitsu (weapons),

3rd Dan in Ryu Kyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokal obtained under Kancho Motokatsu Inoue.

3rd dan in Shotokan Karate obtained before his trip to Japan. Graded under various Sensei's including the late Enoeda Sensei in Crystal Park, London, U.K. Hanshi Hans always had a lifelong obsession with Martial Arts and the East. He started with Judo training in 1958 and obtained his Black Belt at the Kawaishi Judo Institute in 1963,

He started Shotokan Karate training in South Africa In 1964. He stopped training when he reached Black Belt in order to complete his B.Com Degree at the University of South Africa (stopping for 2 years is a decision he regrets to this day).

He restarted Karate in 1970 and trained with Sensel's Tony van der Laan, Ampie Pretorius and Stan Macaskill. Later he continued his training with Robert Kane, a Shotokan Instructor from Scotland (Robert Kane was known as the Scottish Bruce Lee).

Hanshi Hans then travelled to the United Kingdom to do Shotokan Karate at Crystal Palace under Enoeda Sensel. There, he once more graded successfully in Shotokan Karate under Enoeda Sensel. Thereafter, Hanshi Hans decided to fulfil his lifelong dream. That of going to Japan to study Martial Arts with the Masters. He always had a passion for the East, their way of life and the mysteries of the Martial Arts.

Hanshi Hans left for Japan in 1975 where he lived and trained Martial Arts until 1977. Whilst there he trained under various famous Masters doing Kobudo, jui-jitsu and Karate.

A great man and a loss for us all. R.I.P. HANSHI HANS

We will endeavour to carry on your teachings and your vision to make the world a better place.

During this difficult time for his family and the entire Tenshinkan Karate Family, we ask everyone for prayers and unity.

HANSHI HANS will be remembered as a true leader and his legacy will live on.

(Excerpt taken from a message from Kyoshi Attie Coetzer)-- May Hanshi Hans Haupt Rest In Peace