Shihan Stef Biagioni holds the impressive rank of 7th Dan (Nanadan) and has dedicated nearly 45 years to the practice of Goju-Ryu Karate under the esteemed guidance of Shihan Arnold de Beer. Since 1991, he has been a founding member of the International Shorei of Martial Arts. His expertise extends to serving on the Dan National grading panel for his style and acting as a tournament director. In 1999, Shihan Biagioni transitioned to a full-time professional karateka, successfully establishing six dojos in and around the Fourways, Sandton, and Bryanston areas. His achievements in sports karate include multiple titles such as South African Champion, Region South Champion, African Cup Champion, Commonwealth Karate Champion, World Goju-Ryu Champion, and World WKC Champion. He has also earned medals at the African Games and is a K1 Premier League WKF medallist. With an impressive total of 73 international appearances, including 29 competitions where he earned his Protea colours, he stands out as one of the legendary figures in modern karate. His achievements not only highlight his exceptional skill and dedication but also solidify his status as a remarkable ambassador for the sport. Additionally, Shihan Biagioni has held significant leadership roles within the karate community, serving as President of Ekurhuleni for 12 years, Johannesburg for 5 years, and recently being elected as President of the Gauteng Karate Federation in 2024. He also contributed to the sport as the National Coach for Karate South Africa for two years.