March 2004
(27.03.2004)
The Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association held a successful National Training Camp at Margate near Brisbane over the weekend of 27-28 March. Organised by Shihan Jim and Sensei Lesley Griffin of the Seiryukan Dojo, representatives from all Australian Shorinjiryu dojos made the trek to Brisbane. Attendees came from as far afield as Innisfail (Kensuikai Dojo), Rockhampton (Yagizakai Dojo), Burpengary (Seiryukan Dojo), Springwood (Torakai Dojo), Coonabarabran (Kensuukai Dojo) and Sydney (Kengokai Dojo). With more than 20 black belts and several black belt candidates, this was a large turnout of senior Shorinjiryu practitioners. On the first day, a variety of sessions were held, covering speed and power generation, self defence, kata application, sparring and the history of karate. A special event was a visit by our patron Shihan Phil Hooper who joined in the kata application session. In the evening, the Annual General Meeting of the Association was held, followed by an old tradition - the sketch night. On the second day we had a special training session with Shihan Laurie and Sensei Mark Vanniekerk. Shihan Laurie was the founder of Shorinjiryu in Australia. The training session covered the kata Sanchin - a kata that had been long lost from Shorinjiryu in Australia The session covered the first part of the kata, along with its application. After lunch, gradings for both kyu grades and the 5 candidates for Shodan Ho commenced, with strong efforts being put in by all candidates. Each of the kyu grade candidates was successful, with solid displays of self defence, kata and Kumite. Of the Shodan Ho candidates, Kyran Findlater (Torakai Dojo) and Sean Jacobs (Kensuikai Dojo) were successful in this attempt to gain the rank of probationary black belt (Shodan Ho). The other candidates - Mathia Matakovic, Petra Matakovic and Matthew Schultz.(all from Torakai Dojo) - put in solid efforts, but the grading panel felt that each had a little more to polish before being promoted to probationary black belt level. Each of these candidates will come back in 3-6 months to show their efforts and hopefully earn the right to join the ranks of black belt. Many thanks to Shihan Jim and Sensei Lesley for organising a great event, and to all guests, instructors and attendees who made it so worthwhile. Return to menu  | 
