Ryoko Dojo in the Tweed

Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Do

I.O.G.K.F. Gasshukus

I.O.G.K.F World Budosai - 20 to 26 July 2008 Okinawa

The IOGKF celebrated the 120th birthday of the founder of modern Goju Ryu Karate - Sensei Chojun Miyagi in Naha-Okinawa from the 20. to 26. July 2008.

The event was a great success with around 1000 members from 53 countries attending.
It provided the opportunity to renew many old friendship and to create new ones.

We trained daily at the Budokan for four hours from 9am to 1pm with many high ranking instructors.,

The last day finished off with a Sayonara party, with traditional Okinawa music and dance performances, as well as cultural group performances by participants from individual countries.

also see Photo gallery-IOGKF gasshukus

Helmut


I.O.G.K.F Newcastle Gasshuku - February 2008 with Sensei Morio Higaonna


I.O.G.K.F Canberra Gasshuku - 12 to 14 October 2007 with Sensei Bakkies Laubscher

Many thanks to Sensei Joe Roses of the IOGKF-Canberra dojo for hosting this event. 
It was a great success with about 50 students attending 3 days of  intensive basics and kata training. As always, it was an inspiration to train with Sensei Bakkies.

Congratulations to Tom Mayfield of the Tweed dojo for passing his 1st Kyu.

see Photo gallery-IOGKF gasshukus

Helmut


I.O.G.K.F New Zealand Gasshuku -16. to18, February 2007 with Sensei Morio Higaonna

Another great gasshuku with Higaonna Sensei. It was very well organized  by the IOGKF New Zealand. Many members from dojos all around New Zealand including 14 members  from Australian dojos attended. The NZ members made us feel very welcome and  an enjoyable experience.
The gasshuku ended with a black belt grading, congratulations to Sensei Gavin Hill of our Mackay dojo who passed his yon dan and all other attending.

see Photo gallery-IOGKF gasshukus

Helmut


I.O.G.K.F Chief Instructors Gasshuku - 2 to 9 November 2006 with Sensei Morio Higaonna

The IOGKF chief instructors gasshuku was a great success, around 90 chief instructors and senior black belt members from 30 countries trained for one week at the Budokan in Naha directly under the instructions of Sensei Morio Higaonna.

Sensei Higaonna explained all katas and their bunkai in the finest details small details also showed some of their hidden techniques.

A number of participants also attended classes at Higaonna Sensei's dojo, nothing escaped his watchful eyes. Sensei also placed great emphasis on hojo Undo training.

We were also very fortunate to be able to attend lectures by Miyagi Anichi Sensei, Aragaki Shuichi Sensei (both direct students of Goju-Ryu founder Chojun Miyagi Sensei) and Sakiyama Sogen Roshi’s (Zen Master).

see Photo gallery-IOGKF gasshukus

Helmut


I.O.G.K.F Mackay Gasshuku - 1 to 3 September 2006 with Sensei Bakkies Laubscher

Many thanks to Sensei Gavin Hill of the IOGKF-Mackay dojo for hosting this event, it was a great success with many members of IOGKF dojos from around Australia attending.

Sensei Bakkies Laubscher is truly an inspiration, demonstrating his outstanding skills and knowledge, confirming that he is one of the most experienced instructors of traditional Okinawa Goju Ryu karate in the world. Sensei Bakkies explained  in great details katas such as Sanchin, Tensho, Geksai, Saifa, Sanseru and Kurunfa, and also put us through some cruelling basic training in morning and afternoon session.

To sum it all up, "I have lost 2 kg in 3 days", considering that I thought I was reasonable fit prior to attending this gasshuku. Conclusion, train harder<g>.

Helmut


I.O.G.K.F Newcastle Gasshuku - 17 to 19 March 2006 by Sensei Graham Ravey

Many thanks to Chris and Kerry Larkin for much kindness shown to myself and the lads from Queensland during our stay in Newcastle, everyone enjoyed the visit.
It was nice to catch up with familiar faces from Canberra and Sydney before I leave Australia on the 4th May to live in England. I will be back once a year for one month, so let's practice Karate together again in the future.
I am sorry I don't have time to whip some of you black belts and of course be whipped myself, but life is not over yet so I am sure it'll happen at a future date.
Until then enjoy training and do your best.

GAMBATTE!!!

Sensei Graham Ravey