Australia IOGKF
Australia Okinawa Goju-ryu Karate Federation
World Traditional Karate Ceremony - IOGKF Gishiki 2019
Held in Okinawa, Japan
The 40th anniversary of IOGKF International and the biggest push yet to see traditional Karate recognised by UNESCO took place under the banner of the IOGKF Gishiki. Over 1,300 people from 50 different countries took part in the event which saw participants train under the best instructors in the world over a one week period. Two training locations were utilised, the Karate Kaikan and the Okinawan Budokan. Out of the all the countries attending, the AOGKF had the second largest team participation with over 100 members & their families joining the trip.
The Birthplace of Karate
Sensei Morio Higaonna, the founder of IOGKF taught at the event and in one session instructed all 1,300 people at once. 16 group training sessions were held over the week and AOGKF members were able to experience instruction from the best Goju-ryu Sensei in the world. Many members were very surprised to see how high Sensei Joe and Sensei Kevin were ranked among the worlds best and gained a new appreciation and respect for our National leaders. Many AOGKF members were selected to assist the senior Sensei's in demonstrating during many of their sessions.
Under the Master Morio Higaonna
Sensei Lambert from the Goulburn Dojo was selected to instruct children classes during the event. He was also the only foreigner selected to be included in the Higaonna Dojo team demonstration of Hojo Undo. He and Higaonna Sensei's son Eric also performed one of the most popular demonstrations of the event. The final day concluded with a Masters demonstration where members got to see Karate's best at their best! Higaonna Sensei, Bakkies Sensei and Nakamura Sense all performed. The Sayonara Party took place on Sunday evening and AOGKF showed how the Aussies party to the cheers of the rest of the world.
Shiki, Japan - Karate cultural exchange
A team from AOGKF participated in the exchange
Sensei Joseph Tait organised a cultural exchange day using Karate as the method at his Dojo in Shiki, Tokyo. The event took place on Thursday July 24. Classes were taken by Sensei Joe Roses (Aust), Sensei Brian McGhee (NZ), Sensei Raj Ravi (NZ), Sensei Jakob Kold (Denmark) and of course world famous Karate instructor, Sensei Kazuo Terauchi - 9th Dan from Japan. There were Black Belt, Kyu grade and children's groups hosted on the day.
Japan Federal government recognised the effort
For many people, it was their first ever training experience in Japan and the event did not disappoint. The hype, the heat and instructors surpassed all their expectations. At the beginning of the event, the mayor of Shiki city arrived to welcome everyone to the event. This was followed by the presentation of a plaque to Sensei Jospeh from Yuichi San who put in a lot of work on the this event also. The plaque was from the government recognising the importance of this event to Japanese culture.
Participants from Oceania, Europe, USA & Asia
After the training was completed, members participated in the 'survivors party' event at a traditional Japanese restaurant in the busy Ikebukuro district of Tokyo. Here everyone tasted delicious Japanese food and got to know people from other countries. Terauchi Sensei and other seniors gave speeches and highlighted their thanks and praise for what was a successful event. Terauchi Sensei will be the guest instructor at this years AOGKF National Gasshuku in Canberra, ACT from November 1-3.
Sensei Joe Roses to receive the Order of Australia Medal
Australia's Chief Instructor
Sensei Joe Roses is one of Australia's longest training martial artists, beginning his studies somewhere around 1971. He moved to Canberra, ACT from Spain as a young boy when his family immigrated to Australia. He didn't speak English, had to go to an English speaking school and life wasn't always easy. However that did not stop the young man for wanting to contribute to the country he has called home for over 55 years. His work as a heavy vehicle mechanic has consumed most of his working days, while of an evening and on the weekend he has dedicated much of his time to the study, protection and teaching of traditional Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate.
To receive Australia's highest honour
In a martial arts career spanning almost half a century Sensei Joe Roses has risen to not only become the one of the first Australian members to every achieve the rank of 7th Dan from Master Morio Higaonna, but also the chief instructor of the largest IOGKF organisation Australia has ever seen. Over his career he has taught all over North and South America, Oceania and has even taught at the Okinawa Honbu Dojo of his own Sensei. Impressive as this is, it is the little acts that have won Sensei Joe affection from all over Australia and the world. His simple phone calls to check in on his devoted followers, him helping disadvantaged people and often times sharing his knowledge for free have helped in securing this incredible honour.
For contributions to the Martial Arts in Australia
The project to nominate Sensei Joe for an OAM began many years ago and saw contributions from numerous senior instructors from both AOGKF and IOGKF. The process takes many years and Sensei Joe Roses had no idea that the AOGKF had undertaken this project without his permission. Their reason was simple, he would have been too humble to allow himself to be nominated. Sensei Roses was extremely overwhelmed and honoured to receive notification of his award. He told AOGKF members he still could not believe it. He came to this country with nothing, learned valuable skills and the young age of 68 years old still spends his days working to support his family and sharing Karate with everyone his can. Congratulations Sensei Joe!
2019 AOGKF Black & Brown Belt Gasshuku
Back to Basics
This years annual AOGKF Black and Brown Belt Gasshuku was hosted once again by the Woden Valley Dojo of Sensei Kevin Nash. All Black and Brown Belt grades gathered at the Dojo on the evening of May 24th, 2019. After an official welcoming, Sensei David Lambert provided a detailed explanation of the senior components of Jumbi Undo training. Australia's chief instructor, Sensei Joe Roses, then took to the stage with assistance from Sensei Nash and Sensei Lambert. Over the next two hours all participants were put through their paces in a group Kata sessions that provided great technical points and aided in the unlocking the potential of all those who were present.
Look, Listen, Sweat!
An early start on Saturday morning saw Sensei Lambert take everyone for a reminder session on the Jumbi undo points of the previous day. Group training followed with the three executive committee member Sensei's rotating between several groups. Sensei Nash also gave a seminar on how to correctly instruct children in traditional Karate. After four very in depth hours of training, Sensei Kevin prepared the grading candidates for their test, while Sensei Lambert provided the final sweat session for all Gasshuku participants.
Memories to treasure
After a short break for lunch 19 candidates took to the floor for our annual Black belt grading test. All of the Executive committee instructors had their turn at testing the grading candidates and all of them rose to the occasion with impressive form and technique. There was plenty of blood sweat and tears shared, but countless smiles when the test had ended. An inspiring effort which resulted in a 100% pass rate. Equally impressive was that 60 odd people who stayed behind after training to cheer on their friends and family as they were put through their paces. Many thanks to Colin for the fantastic photos and video compilation.
2019 AOGKF NSW STATE GASSHUKU - CROOKWELL
A Sell out event
Over 110 AOGKF members, plus their families attended the 2019 AOGKF New South Wales State Gasshuku. The event was hosted by Crookwell Dojo at the Crookwell High School hall. The Black Belts knew they were in for a special day when Sensei Joe Roses really opened up on the intricate and advanced details of Sanchin and in particular Tensho Kata. This was followed by the always special feeling of a full Dojo when all grades training took place. After a much improved line up process, Sensei Kevin Nash took prepared the Gasshuku and took them through a strong basics sessions, motivating everyone for the exciting day to come!
Spreading Traditional Karate
The Gasshuku then split into group training sessions which were lead by Sensei Joe Roses, Sensei Kevin Nash, Sensei David Lambert, Sensei Richard Toparis, Sensei Vince Robinson and Sensei Ari Mehr. What made this event even more special was the fact that members had traveled from four different states to be part of this Gasshuku. Sensei Fritz traveled from the Sunshine Coast and Sensei Ari traveled from Melbourne to be part of the training. Their participation and passion was a great motivation to all. After a few group sessions it was time for lunch and to prepare our 100+ strong team for the Gishiki event in Okinawa.
To Country New South Wales
Following lunch three specialty seminars were held by the AOGKF Executive committee instructors. Sensei Kevin Nash held a very popular seminar on street self defence for all teenage and adult members that was very well received. Sensei Joe Roses ran a children's only self defence defence seminar showing our youngest members how to be smarter and more effective in protecting themselves. And Sensei David Lambert (who was unwell on the day) pushed through a seminar on the finer details and bunkai of Sesan Kata for 3rd Dan and above members. All in all it was another wonderful day for the AOGKF Karate family! Thank you to all those who participated and supported this event!
2018 AOGKF NATIONAL GASSHUKU
IOGKF Oceania's largest ever event!
Over 220 people attend the AOGKF National Gasshuku which was held under the leadership of Sensei Ernie Molyneux (IOGKF World Vice-Chief Instructor) and Sensei Joe Roses (Australian Chief Instructor) in Goulburn, NSW. To see 200 + people take the floor for the all grades session was extremely motivating and the roar of a couple of hundred syncronised kiai was electrifying! Guests from 5 Australian states and 7 different countries traveled to Goulburn for the event and all were impressed with what they experienced.
Hosted by the AOGKF!
Sensei Ernie commented to all participants that the AOGKF has the makings of becoming one of IOGKF International's largest and strongest member countries. He said the leadership and quality of the instructors in Australia was extremely high.
The guest instructor gave many specialty seminars including a 3 day course on the kumite and iri-kumi training of Goju-ryu which impressed many of the participants. Sensei Ciara Morrison from England also gave a special Women's only seminar, which was very well received.
In Goulburn, New South Wales
There were also several social events held. This included a Black and Brown Belt dinner with many party games that had everyone in stitches as the contestants worked through several difficult challenges.
Just when we thought this party could not be outdone, the Saturday night annual Karate party went to a whole other level with an exhilarating and hilarious performance by one of Australia's leading comedy magicians. The Karate family in the AOGKF has never been stronger and the event only helped us to become even closer as we work towards the 2021 World championships in Canberra.