The
International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do
Federation (IOGKF) is one of the finest, traditional
karate organizations in the world today. Under the
leadership of our master, Sensei Morio Higaonna, 10thdan, the IOGKF is committed to preserving the
intangible cultural treasure of Okinawan Goju-Ryu
Karate-do, which has been passed down to us in its
original form from one generation to the next. Since
its establishment in 1979, the IOGKF has attracted
culturally diverse martial arts practitioners from
around the world, who have joined the organization after
recognizing the authenticity and excellence of the IOGKF
and its direct karate lineage tracing back to
Bushi Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Okinawan Goju-Ryu
Karate-do. Our members actively support our
mission, objectives, and activities. The IOGKF sponsors
interactive website forums, weekend seminars, and
international martial arts events for its members to
stay informed with news updates, improve their ongoing
knowledge and skills, and develop life-long
friendships. The IOGKF now has members in over 50
affiliated countries worldwide and is the largest
Okinawan karate organization in the world. This
website represents the membership of IOGKF-USA.
We believe that
Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do training benefits all
practitioners, regardless of their nationality, race, age,
or gender. We have members as young as three years old up
to those over 80 years of age. The IOGKF has a worldwide
network of leadership groups and karate schools in
different countries with highly-qualified chief instructors
and dojo instructors to meet the needs of students
and families. Training at their own pace, each IOGKF member
will improve their mind (mental health, education,
and language); body (self defense skills, physical
fitness, flexibility, and endurance); and spirit
(character, positive attitude, and contributions to
society). It is our goal to improve the “quality of life”
for all of our IOGKF members to help make a positive impact
on the world. The IOGKF welcomes all potential new members
to join our international karate family!
There were over 70 IOGKF North American black
belt members participated this special event. I would like
to thank Sensei Gene Villa, Sensei Michael Han and Sensei
Herbert Allen for sharing your knowledge with all the
participants. We covered all basic techniques required for
10th kyu to shodan, its proper names and details by rank by
rank. We did all the kata from Gekisai Dai Ichi to
Suparinpei. As I promised, we spent a lot of time
explaining the concept behind the movement and details. We
spent a lot of times answering technical questions from
participants. I believe this gasshuku was a good starting
point to share same level of understanding about details of
kata and basic for our instructors and black belt members.
I also want to announce the black belt grading result. 12
members took the grading test, and all of them passed.
Among them, there were 3 members who failed at MCF grading.
They showed a lot of improvement, demonstrated their
commitment and indomitable spirit. I was so happy to
announce the result at the sayonara dinner especially those
three members. Congratulations!!
I would like to thank all the dojo heads who participated
and bringing your students to the gasshuku.
This gasshuku was the first and the last black belt gasshuku
that I taught as a North American Chief Instructor.
Tetsuji Nakamura
IOGKF North America Chief Instructor
8th IOGKF Friendship
Tournament
Sunday October 18th
at Holiday Inn Hotel, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
The event gets bigger and better and the level of
competition higher each year. The family kata is new and
fun, families do karate together and spend quality time
practising together - what a new approach.
The black belt fighting is tough but friendly, hard but
controlled, at times painful but rewarding.
I witnessed many new, young up and coming karateka with
good skill sets at a very young age , so I am looking
forward to the new generation to bring us to the new
level and make us proud as teachers and parents.
On a personal note , it was the first time I stepped in
the same ring as a teammate with Jody after teaching her
all these years and joined by my wife Bea in a family
kata was a special treat for me indeed .
Many thanks to Sensei Adi and Sensei Nakamura and all
the IOGKF members and family members for all their time
and effort on putting this together, without you guys ,
none of these can happen .
Thank you again on a spectacular tournament.
Please
e-mal the feedback of your experience of MCF 2009 to
admin@iogkf.com
MCF
2009 Event Report by Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura
MCF 2009
was a tremendous success. We had over 200 participants
from Canada, USA, Mexico, Venezuela, England, Sweden,
Israel, Japan, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
A few
days before the event, I received very sad news from
Higaonna Sensei that An'ichi Miyagi Sensei had passed
away. It was a great loss for all Goju-Ryu
practitioners. I, and my family, had a close
relationship with An'ichi Sensei and his family. I
really appreciate that Higaonna Sensei came to Canada
for MCF at such a difficult time. The first class of
the event was dedicated to An'ichi Miyagi Sensei. We
performed 78 Gekisai Dai Ichi kata to show our
appreciation to An'ichi Miyagi Sensei who passed away at
the age of 78. During the first two days of training,
we spread the participants into groups by rank, and
guest instructors taught each class. Participants had
opportunities to learn from some of the finest sensei in
IOGKF, such as Sudo Sensei, Sensei Gene Villa, Sensei
Michael Han, Sensei Linda Marchant and Sensei Herbert
Allen.
The
talent contest on Friday night was great fun. Many
members came up on the stage to demonstrate their talent
in singing, dancing and more. It was great to see big
smiles and laughs; a different side of our members
outside of the dojo floor. This event created a closer
feeling between our members. IOGKF is one big family.
Higaonna
Sensei arrived late Friday night as he had to attend
An'ichi Sensei's funeral. Saturday morning, Higaonna
Sensei spent a lot of time with the whole group going
through details of junbi undo (warm up exercises) and
kihon (basic techniques). It was a great session, and
we all appreciated his commitment and spirit to share
his knowledge with all of us at such a difficult time.
On
Saturday night, we had the IOGKF 30th anniversary and
Higaonna Sensei's 70th birthday party. We also
celebrated An'ichi Miyagi Sensei's life and showed our
appreciation for what he did for all of us. We had a
presentation video on the big screen about the life and
history of Higaonna Sensei, An'ichi Miyagi Sensei and
IOGKF. Several senior instructors made speeches for
Higaonna Sensei. It was a wonderful night. I received
many comments from participants that they feel so lucky
and honoured to be a part of such a great organization.
On
Sunday after intense training with Higaonna Sensei, we
had a masters’ demonstration. It was great to see many
skilful performances of Goju-Ryu sensei, as well as
masters from other styles.
Higaonna
Sensei's 70th Birthday Gift
For Higaonna
Sensei's 70th birthday gift, IOGKF North American Dojo and
participants of MCF 2009 raised funds and gave him a
three-night trip to Lake Louise in the Canadian Rocky
Mountains, one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
Higaonna Sensei really enjoyed being in such magnificent
natural surroundings. He mentioned many times that it is
hard to describe how beautiful it was. He was very relaxed
and refreshed. Higaonna Sensei want to thank all dojo and
individuals that contributed to this special birthday gift.
Please check photo gallery at
www.iogkf.ca for pictures of the trip.
