Celebrating 40 years of GKR Karate

When Kancho Robert Sullivan said to his son Matthew “We’re going to be looking at this in years to come….” in a home video in 1983, could he have imagined that tens of thousands of people would one day see this footage, celebrating 40 years of GKR Karate.

A man with a vision, and a belief in that vision, Kancho began his Karate journey in 1964, obtaining the rank of black belt in Goju and Shotokan styles before starting GKR Karate in Adelaide in 1984. The first official dojo opened at Beefacres Hall, Windsor Gardens in February 1984, with Kancho’s son Matthew being the club’s first official student. Going from strength to strength, building from that first student to more than 38,000 students in 2024, GKR Karate has stood the test of time.

Initially called ‘Bob’s Karate School, Kancho changed the name to Go-Kan-Ryu Karate Do in June 1984 which roughly translates to ‘hard and complete system in the way of the empty hand’. With the skills and knowledge gained from Goju and Shotokan, Kancho created the GKR syllabus combining features from both styles. The first badge was designed by Kancho in July of 1984, and some 35 years later in July 2019, it was updated to the current design we see today.

At first, Kancho’s aim was to build a small club, sufficient in size to feed his family and ‘pay the bills’. Eight years later, GKR expanded into NSW, and to other states across Australia shortly after. New Zealand opened its first dojo in 1994 with the United Kingdom following suit in 1996. Classes in Houston, Texas then started in 2004. In the space of 12 years, a club that started in Kancho’s garage had successfully branched out on a truly international level.

The fundamentals of GKR have not changed since its inception, with the emphasis on discipline, good character and inclusivity being as strong as ever. Whether you are at a local class, regional tournament or a World Cup, you will find the same camaraderie, respect, humility and a sense of belonging. GKR truly is karate for everyone.

Pivoting during lockdowns to on-line zoom classes and seminars enabled students to continue training during this difficult period, which eventually paved the way for the launch of the GKR Online Karate and Fitness Academy in 2024.

As a family club that is renowned for not just its high standard of karate but also for the community it continues to build on a global scale through its Online Academy, people from all over the world are able to experience and enjoy all that GKR has to offer.

From the humble beginnings of our first small tournament in a school demountable classroom in 1985 to the recently held 11th World Cup in 2024 that hosted more than 1400 competitors and 4000 + spectators over 3 days….. GKR Karate has come a long way. Thank you to all students and instructors for being a part of this incredible story!

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Getting Out Of Your Karate Comfort Zone – It’s A Great Big GKR World Out There

As most students know, GKR is a worldwide organisation, with over 2500 classes weekly across three countries. Yet, with so many training options available, many of us don’t venture further afield than our region, or even our regular dojo. With so much to offer, why do so many of us limit what we experience and why is that an opportunity missed?

The Comfort Zone

A comfort zone sounds like a nice place to be, like a cosy bed or comfy sofa, so, it’s no surprise that we may want to stay in it. Moving out of your comfort zone can create feelings of anxiety and stress, making it challenging to take that first uncomfortable step into the unknown. There’s a certainty about what you’re used to, you can control it and it’s unlikely to surprise you. From a karate perspective, attending the same dojos and training with the same people is much easier and less stressful than trying something new.

If the comfort zone feels so good, why leave?

If it might cause you to feel stressed anxious and a little bit scared, why would you push yourself to do something new and different with your karate? Well, there’s a number of reasons why, which could benefit your karate and other aspects of your life.

• You might find something you like! – In simple terms, we do karate because we like it. Yet, if we’d not stepped out of our comfort zone and attended our first class, we wouldn’t be involved now. The same applies to other experiences. Maybe tournaments, or national seminars seem scary to you, but what if you find that you absolutely love them and can’t believe you waited this long to attend?
• Extend your learning – However great your main instructor or instructors are, there’s always something new to learn. A new instructor may tell you something you didn’t previously know, they may show you a new way to train, or a new way to think about your training. Similarly, training alongside people you aren’t familiar with will help you develop, as you observe their approach to karate and work with them in pairs or groups. It’s also useful to remember that even the most experienced instructors don’t know everything. All teachers, at all levels, have something different to offer.
• You are capable of more! – Pushing yourself to experience things outside your comfort zone is great for your mindset. Taking a leap into something new is an achievement in itself and will give you confidence and improve your self-esteem. In most cases, you will also find that it wasn’t anywhere near as scary as you thought. These experiences also make you better prepared for times when you can’t avoid the nervous situation, such as your karate gradings, or, possibly something more general, such as a presentation at school or work. By taking difficult steps when it is your choice, you are building your resilience muscle.
• Achieve your potential – Maybe you could be a National or World Cup champion, but you’ll never know if you don’t enter your first tournament. You could be an incredible instructor, if only you agree to get involved. Similarly, our lives outside the dojo are full of these potential opportunities that you might miss if you don’t take that first step. Maybe you try and it doesn’t work out, but now you know more about who you are and won’t have the regret that comes with never finding out.

Sounds great, so what can I do?

GKR has so many opportunities to expand your karate horizons and it depends on what you are used to as to what would be your next step. So, let’s start with cross training:

• Find an additional dojo – The simplest and easiest way to push your karate boundaries is to train with different instructors and in different locations. Most regions will have additional classes you can attend with new instructors and students to work with. Visiting a new dojo for the first time can feel a bit like when you attended your first karate class, but just like that, it will be no time at all until it feels comfortable.
• Seminars – You will probably have seminars in your region, focused on kata, tournaments, or self-defence. These are a good place to start. However, GKR also runs seminars in your zone, or nationally. These are a chance to train with GKR’s finest and most experienced instructors, including Kancho, Kyoshi Gavin and Kyoshi Anthony. Seminars provide an amazing opportunity to expand your horizons, with so much on offer and opportunities to learn. Finally, if you are brown belt or above, there’s black belt camp which includes multiple seminars over one weekend and is a great way to meet and train with karateka from multiple different regions.
• Competitions – When it comes to competitions, we all have different views. However, they are an incredible learning experience and if you’ve never done one before, you should definitely try it, at least once. Few things push your kata or sparring forward faster than knowing you will be performing at a tournament. It focuses your mind on analysing and improving your own karate by a certain date. Furthermore, doing your kata and sparring with an audience is excellent training for future gradings.
• Instruct – As a GKR student, you’ve probably passed on your knowledge to others in the dojo at some point. Often this is during kata practise, or partner work. However, helping out formally, as a Sempai or a Sensei, is a great way of reinforcing your karate understanding. There are few things that test your kata knowledge better than teaching it to a room full of students. There will almost always be a question that you hadn’t thought of before, that will require further investigation. In addition, instructing has a host of benefits beyond your own karate, including the pleasure of seeing students improve their own karate.
• Online Academy – Did you know GKR launched an Online Karate & Fitness Academy this year? This gives existing students a perfect opportunity to try a new class with a new Sensei, from the comfort of their home. Eliminating any issues that may arise with extra travel to an additional dojo. There are scheduled live streamed classes available as well as on-demand content which can be viewed at any time. You can join the Online Academy for as little as $5 a week or £10 per month! For more information or to upgrade your existing membership – Click Here

Expanding your karate horizons will improve not just your karate, but also your confidence, mindset and resilience. If you want to push your boundaries, then make a plan now. Don’t wait until the last minute to get involved in a seminar or a competition. Save the date in your diary and get it booked in advance. There’s a great big GKR world out there to experience.

Mike Norton – Senior Instructor, Region 26 UK

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You’re Invited!

Are you ready for drills and tournament preparation?

Join GKR’s Karate senior instructors, Renshi Alex Pereda and Renshi Jan Lopez, for an online training session focusing on Kanu Dai, Seisan and Kumite.

Part 1 – Kata Techniques, Drills & Application
Your choice of:
● Kanku Dai (introduced at Shodan)
● Seisan (introduced at Sandan)

Part 2 – Kumite Styles, Drills & Tournament Preparation
Your choice of:
● Jiyu Kumite – Free sparring, self-defence, dojo style.
● Ippon Kumite – Point sparring or tournament kumite.

WHEN

Sunday 28 April 2024
Sydney 6pm (AEST) | Auckland 8pm (NZST) | London 9am (BST)

WHERE

This seminar will take place in the GKR Online Karate and Fitness Academy.

REGISTRATION

• Existing GKR Online Academy members will receive complimentary access to this event and ALL special Online Academy events & seminars.
• Or you can register for this seminar individually for $15AUD per member/household.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR CURRENT GKR KARATE MEMBERS

If you are not yet an Online Academy member, significant discounts are available for existing GKR Karate members (ie: in-person class members). You can join the Online Academy for as little as $5 per week, which would not only grant you access to this event, but all future online special seminars as well! This $5 per week would also grant you access to our massive and brand new library of on-demand karate video tutorials which provide expert tuition and training sessions that cater from white belt all the way to black. Use the button below to request a discounted upgrade to your existing membership.

REQUEST UPGRADE

We look forward to seeing you at this special event!

What is the Online Karate & Fitness Academy?

Born out of the immense popularity of our online training resources during the challenging times of the Covid lockdowns, this project has been developed and refined over the last 3 years and is now ready to serve the global karate community.

The GKR Online Karate & Fitness Academy has 2 key components:

1. ON-DEMAND CONTENT

   An extensive syllabus-oriented training video library, created by some of GKR’s most senior instructors, Kyoshi Shihan Anthony Ryan, Renshi Shihan Alex Pereda, with help from Sensei Rebecca Zaloumes.

   The growing library currently consists of over 240 videos, covering techniques, class formats, workshops, and train-along sessions from white to black belt levels. This resource supplements your dojo training, offering valuable insights and accelerating your progress.

2. LIVE STREAMING CLASSES

Led by our exceptional team of instructors, including Renshi Shihan Jan Lopez, these daily classes will be broadcast from our purpose-built studios in Sydney and Manchester UK. Whether you’re looking to complement your in-dojo sessions or overcome schedule constraints, these live streams offer flexibility and accessibility, ensuring you can train effectively from the comfort of your home.

If you would like to explore the site, we invite you to take part in our 5 Step Self Defence Challenge available here. While you are taking the challenge you will receive a week’s free access to the Academy and we would encourage you to check it out!

Remember that existing students are eligible for heavily discounted online memberships, making it the perfect time to enrich your karate journey with this invaluable resource.

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming seminar and in the Online Academy!

ENTER THE ONLINE DOJO

The post GKR Karate Online Kata & Kumite Seminar with Renshi Alex Pereda & Renshi Jan Lopez appeared first on GKR Karate.

You’re Invited!

Ready to have a blast while you sweat it out and level up your karate skills?

Join GKR’s Karate senior instructors, Kyoshi Shihan Anthony Ryan and Renshi Shihan Jan Lopez, for an online training session focusing on Kata and Kumite techniques!

Part 1 – Kata Techniques, Drills & Application
Your choice of:
Bassai-Dai (introduced at 5th Kyu)
Kururunfa (introduced at Shodan)

Part 2 – Kumite Styles, Drills & Tournament Preparation
Your choice of:
Jiyu Kumite – Free sparring, self-defence, dojo style.
Ippon Kumite – Point Sparring or Tournament Kumite.

WHEN

Sunday 24 March 2024
Sydney 6pm (AEDT) | Auckland 8pm (NZST) | London 7am (UK)

WHERE

This seminar will take place within the GKR Online Karate and Fitness Academy.

REGISTRATION

• Existing GKR Online Academy members will receive complimentary access to this event and ALL special Online Academy events & seminars.
• Or you can register for this seminar individually for $15AUD per member/household.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR CURRENT GKR KARATE MEMBERS

If you are not yet an Online Academy member, significant discounts are available for existing GKR Karate members (ie: in-person class members). You can join the Online Academy for as little as $5 per week, which would not only grant you access to this event, but all future Online special seminars as well! This $5 per week would also grant you access to our massive and brand new library of on-demand karate video tutorials which provide expert tuition and training sessions that cater from white belt all the way to black. Use the button below to request a discounted upgrade to your existing membership.

REQUEST UPGRADE

We look forward to seeing you at this special event!

What is the Online Karate & Fitness Academy?

Born out of the immense popularity of our online training resources during the challenging times of the Covid lockdowns, this project has been developed and refined over the last 3 years and is now ready to serve the global karate community.

The GKR Online Karate & Fitness Academy has 2 key components:

1. ON-DEMAND CONTENT

   An extensive syllabus-oriented training video library, created by some of GKR’s most senior instructors, Kyoshi Shihan Anthony Ryan, Renshi Shihan Alex Pereda, with help from Sensei Rebecca Zaloumes.

   The growing library currently consists of over 240 videos, covering techniques, class formats, workshops, and train-along sessions from white to black belt levels. This resource supplements your dojo training, offering valuable insights and accelerating your progress.

2. LIVE STREAMING CLASSES

Led by our exceptional team of instructors, including Renshi Shihan Jan Lopez, these daily classes will be broadcast from our purpose-built studios in Sydney and Manchester UK. Whether you’re looking to complement your in-dojo sessions or overcome schedule constraints, these live streams offer flexibility and accessibility, ensuring you can train effectively from the comfort of your home.

If you would like to explore the site, we invite you to take part in our 5 Step Self Defence Challenge available here. While you are taking the challenge you will receive a week’s free access to the Academy and we would encourage you to check it out!

Remember that existing students are eligible for heavily discounted online memberships, making it the perfect time to enrich your karate journey with this invaluable resource.

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming seminar and in the Online Academy!

ENTER THE ONLINE DOJO

The post GKR Karate Online Kata & Kumite Seminar appeared first on GKR Karate.

You’re Invited!

Join GKR Karate’s founder and Chief Instructor, Kancho Robert Sullivan, and GKR Online Academy Senior Instructor Renshi Jan Lopez for an exclusive online event!

This two hour seminar will include a live training session, suitable for students of all ages and skill levels.

WHEN

Sunday 25 February 2024

Sydney 6pm (AEDT) | Auckland 8pm (NZST) | London 7am (UK)

WHERE

This seminar will take place on our brand new GKR Online Karate and Fitness Academy!

REGISTRATION

• Existing GKR Online Academy members will receive complimentary access to this event and ALL special Online Academy events
• Or you can register for this seminar individually for $15AUD per member/household.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR CURRENT GKR KARATE MEMBERS

If you are not yet an Online Academy member, significant discounts are available for existing GKR Karate members (ie: in-person class members). You can join the Online Academy for as little as $5 per week, which would not only grant you access to this event, but all future Online special seminars as well! This $5 per week would also grant you access to our massive and brand new library of on-demand karate video tutorials which provide expert tuition and training sessions that cater from white belt all the way to black.  Use the button below to request a discounted upgrade to your existing membership

REQUEST UPGRADE

We look forward to seeing you at this special event!

What is the Online Karate & Fitness Academy?

Born out of the immense popularity of our online training resources during the challenging times of the Covid lockdowns, this project has been developed and refined over the last 3 years and is now ready to serve the global karate community.

The GKR Online Karate & Fitness Academy has 2 key components:

1. ON-DEMAND CONTENT

   An extensive syllabus-oriented training video library, created by some of GKR’s most senior instructors, Kyoshi Shihan Anthony Ryan, Renshi Shihan Alex Pereda, with help from Sensei Rebecca Zaloumes.

   The growing library currently consists of over 240 videos, covering techniques, class formats, workshops, and train-along sessions from white to black belt levels. This resource supplements your dojo training, offering valuable insights and accelerating your progress.

2. LIVE STREAMING CLASSES

Led by our exceptional team of instructors, including Renshi Shihan Jan Lopez, these daily classes will be broadcast from our purpose-built studios in Sydney and Manchester UK. Whether you’re looking to complement your in-dojo sessions or overcome schedule constraints, these live streams offer flexibility and accessibility, ensuring you can train effectively from the comfort of your home.

If you would like to explore the site, we invite you to take part in our 5 Step Self Defence Challenge available here. While you are taking the challenge you will receive a week’s free access to the Academy and we would encourage you to check it out!

Remember that existing students are eligible for heavily discounted online memberships, making it the perfect time to enrich your karate journey with this invaluable resource.

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming seminar and in the Online Academy!

ENTER THE ONLINE DOJO

The post GKR Online Academy Seminar with Kancho Robert Sullivan & Renshi Jan Lopez appeared first on GKR Karate.

GKR Karate is going global with the grand opening of a brand new online training opportunity, the GKR Online Karate & Fitness Academy!

This facility has been three years in the making and was born out of the huge popularity of the online tutorials and live-streaming classes that GKR ran for its students during the COVID lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. Fast forward to the present day, and we are ready to release this brand-new and comprehensive online training opportunity to both our existing GKR Karate students as well as the many other parts of the world where our club does not currently operate.

The Online Academy is comprised of two parts:

ON-DEMAND CONTENT

An extensive syllabus-oriented training video library, created by some of GKR’s most senior instructors, Kyoshi Shihan Anthony Ryan, Renshi Shihan Alex Pereda, with help from Sensei Rebecca Zaloumes.

The growing library currently consists of over 240 videos, covering techniques, class formats, workshops, and train-along sessions from white to black belt levels. This resource supplements your dojo training, offering valuable insights and accelerating your progress.

LIVE STREAMING CLASSES
Led by our exceptional team of instructors, including Renshi Shihan Jan Lopez, these daily classes will be broadcast from our purpose-built studios in Sydney and Manchester UK. Whether you’re looking to complement your in-dojo sessions or overcome schedule constraints, these live streams offer flexibility and accessibility, ensuring you can train effectively from the comfort of your home.

If you would like to explore the site, we invite you to take part in our 5 Step Self Defence Challenge available here. While you are taking the challenge you will receive a week’s free access to the Academy and we would encourage you to check it out!

Remember that existing students are eligible for heavily discounted online memberships, making it the perfect time to enrich your karate journey with this invaluable resource.

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming seminar and in the Online Academy!

ENTER THE ONLINE DOJO

The post GKR Online Karate And Fitness Academy Launch! appeared first on GKR Karate.

To all students of GKR Karate,

The catalyst for writing this letter was the recent grading of two of GKR’s senior most instructors:

• Gavin Samin – GKR Karate’s Assistant Chief Instructor
• Anthony Ryan – GKR Karate’s International Director of Coaching

In November 2023 I had the pleasure of grading both to 7th Dan (Shichi-dan) Black belt. Beyond this great achievement I also bestowed on each the title of Kyoshi.

As this title had never existed in GKR Karate previously, I’ve had many students and instructors enquire as to what this title means. Beyond that, in recent times I have been contemplating using some new terms (titles) when referring to a number of our senior-most instructors; hence this letter.

As I am writing to all students, including those who may have only just started their journey with GKR Karate, (welcome!) I feel I should start from the beginning, with myself.

Kancho (pronounced Karn-cho)

The way I would introduce myself in a dojo would be “Hi, I’m Robert”. Most instructors will introduce themselves simply by name. Ultimately because we see ourselves first and foremost as students of karate. We still train with the aim to grow and improve in our own journey.

Beyond being a student, I’m also a teacher (Sensei). So, while I rarely hear it, it’s not incorrect to suggest I am Sensei Robert, or even Robert Sensei. It might be worth noting the Japanese put titles after a person’s name while we in the West will place a title before.

As I founded GKR Karate and am the head of the style, the title you will regularly hear accompanying my name is Kancho. In simple terms, Kancho means ‘Head of style’. It’s also regularly translated as ‘Founder’, although a more accurate word for founder is Kaiso.

Sen-sei (pronounced Sen-say)

The term Sensei, or teacher, is a not unique to martial arts. In Japan, any teacher is generally referred to as sensei, whether it’s a school-teacher, karate teacher, tennis coach etc. It’s comprised of two Japanese characters (known as kanji) which suggest ‘Before’ and ‘Born’.

This doesn’t mean one has to have literally been born before. Many teachers are younger than their students. It merely suggests one is passing on knowledge because they have more experience, wisdom and/or knowledge in that particular field and are qualified to teach.

So, while your instructors may introduce themselves to you with their first name, it is a courtesy to refer to them with the title of Sensei. Many of our classes will have more than one instructor and while one may be the main instructor for the class, it’s a courtesy to refer to all instructors as Sensei.

Sen-pai (pronounced Sem-pie)

The first Japanese kanji, ‘Sen’ is the same for both Sen-pai and Sen-sei. However, we pronounce Sen-pai as Sem-pai. This occurs when we have the letter ‘N’ preceding the letter ‘P’.

Perhaps you enjoy Japanese food and have eaten Tempura? It’s actually Ten-pura. Or maybe you enjoy the karate kata, Empi? It’s actually En-pi.

This is due to the way our mouths form sounds. When we sound the letter ‘N’, our lips remain apart. Yet when we sound the letters ‘M’ and ‘P’ our lips come together. You’re likely making these sounds right now to check if that’s true.

As such, when an ‘N’ precedes a ‘P’ we must close our lips to form the ‘P’ sound. In doing so, the letter ‘N’ starts to sound like an ‘M’.

To keep things easier, when Sen-pai is written in English its often spelled as Sempai to avoid confusion. The same way most Japanese restaurants will use the spelling Tempura. I will continue to use it as Sempai from here on in to help remind you of its pronunciation (even though saying it as Senpai is certainly correct).

GKR Instructors will often ask a student in the class who has exemplary technique to assist. Perhaps they will simply stand out the front to demonstrate the techniques while the instructor moves around to correct students. Or perhaps they may be asked to supervise and assist a group of students in the class. If a student is assisting the instructor in your class, it is a courtesy to refer to these students as Sempai instead of simply using their name.

Shihan (pronounced She-harn)

This is a title many of you will be familiar with as GKR Karate has used this term for over 20years now.

Shi-han is comprised of two Kanji. The first, ‘Shi’ means a ‘Head-teacher or Master’. The second, ‘Han’ could be translated as ‘Model’ (like a role model or example). Its frequently translated as ‘Expert teacher’.

Shihan (like the term, Sensei) is also commonly used in Japanese culture outside of the martial arts. The title suggests you are a master teacher who can assist other teachers. It also suggestive of initiative and the ability to lead.

Japanese martial arts have no specific criteria for the qualification of a Shihan title. Some styles introduce it to top instructors at 4th Dan Black belt while others wait till 5th or 6th Dan. Some even require a certain age-criteria to be met before bestowing such a title. In GKR Karate, I have not created any specific criteria but the majority of those who hold the title are 6th dan black belts, and all are responsible for leading other instructors.

At present in GKR I have given the Shihan title to:

• Gavin Samin, GKR’s Assistant Chief Instructor
• Anthony Ryan, GKR’s International Director of Coaching
• Daniel Tregenza, Senior instructor of Adelaide Region 9
• Alex Pereda, Zone Instructor of NSW
• Bob McCracken, Senior Instructor of the United Kingdom
• Antonie De Bruin, Senior Instructor of New Zealand
• Peter Durrant, Zone Instructor of NSW
• Jan Lopez, International Senior Instructor for GKR’s Online Academy

Introducing the entire Shogo system of Japanese Martial Arts into GKR Karate

When karate solely existed in Okinawa it was vastly different to karate as we know it today. There were no Gi’s (uniforms), or belt grades or even organised curriculums.

It wasn’t until karate reached mainland Japan that the governing body of Japanese Martial Arts (the Dai Nippon Butokukai) insisted it introduce aspects of other Japanese martial arts (like Judo and Kendo).

This meant those Okinawa instructors who wanted to teach in mainland Japan had to introduce Gi’s and the Shogo system.

The Shogo (titles and ranks) System was a system to measure progress and development, and it was predicated on three main areas:

1. Measuring a martial artist’s technical proficiency and experience
2. Measuring a martial artist’s teaching proficiency and experience
3. Measuring a martial artist’s character development, philosophy and conduct

1. The system for measuring a martial artist’s technical proficiency and experience involved introducing the Shogo of Kyu and Dan grades (the belt system)

2. The system for measuring a martial artist’s teaching proficiency and experience involved introducing the Shogo of Sempai, Sensei and Shihan. There are actually others, but I have decided not to implement these.

3. The system for measuring a martial artist’s character development, philosophy and conduct involved introducing the Shogo of Renshi (pronounced Ren-she), Kyoshi (pronounced Key-oshe) and Hanshi (pronounced Hun-she)

I only decided to introduce the third Shogo system around 7 years ago. Despite that, these terms have been seldom heard in our dojos. That however is about to change; another reason for writing this letter.

A general rule throughout the martial arts world was Renshi shogo could be (but did not have to be) awarded to someone who had achieved Roku-dan (6th dan). The Kyoshi shogo could be awarded to someone who had achieved Shichi-dan (7th dan) and Hanshi (the highest shogo) could be awarded to anyone 8th dan or above.

You will notice that Ren-shi, Kyo-shi and Han-shi all end with the same Kanji, ‘Shi’. This Kanji could be translated as ‘Gentleman’ (although it obviously does not have to be a male), or warrior (in terms of mental fortitude) or even scholar.

The Kanji for Ren-shi could be translated as: ‘Ren’ (Polished) ‘Shi’ (Gentleman, Warrior or scholar).

The Kanji for Kyo-shi could be translated as: ‘Kyo’ (Professor) ‘Shi’ (Gentleman, Warrior or scholar).

The Kanji for Han-shi could be translated as: ‘Han’ (Model or example) ‘Shi’ (Gentleman, Warrior or scholar).

You may be wondering if the terms Shi-han and Han-shi are simply the same two Kanji but placed in reverse order? This is not the case. While the Kanji, ‘Han’ is identical in both (meaning model or example), the Kanji for ‘Shi’ in Shihan is different to the other three shogo. It translates more accurately as teacher (as opposed to gentleman, warrior or scholar).

I feel it’s important to note that being a high-dan black belt does not guarantee someone has exemplary character. In actuality, there a many people on this earth who’ve never trained in karate and still have impeccable character. In martial arts, the shogo of Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi are discussing the character that one develops over decades of concerted training.

Up until last month, GKR had several people who were identified as Shihan. While they were referred to as Shihan, the 6th dans had also been awarded with the character based shogo. Let me use New Zealand’s Senior instructor, Antonie de Bruin as an example:

• Roku-dan (6th dan black belt): This shogo is an illustration of Antonie’s technical proficiency, knowledge, dedication and experience as a student. This is indicative of his personal journey in the dojo.
• Shihan: This shogo is an illustration of Antonie’s expert teaching ability and his great leadership as a teacher of teachers. This is indicative of how helps others with their journey in the dojo.
• Renshi: This is an illustration of Antonie’s character, philosophy and conduct as not only a student and instructor, but also a human being. This is indicative of his personal journey beyond the dojo and indicative of how he helps others with their journey beyond the dojo.

While Antonie was has been referred to as Shihan (his teaching shogo) many were unaware he had also been awarded a certificate for Renshi. Despite GKR housing a number of Renshi-Shihans, we simply used the term Shihan to keep things short.

As I stated earlier, I have been pondering changing the way our top leaders are referred to and as from now, I would prefer the following:

When in a formal setting, such as bowing into or out of class, if an instructor has more than one title that has been bestowed upon them, then both are mentioned. For example, “Kyoshi-Shihan” or “Renshi-Shihan”.

Outside of a formal setting, such as addressing them during class, students need not mention both (the same as we have been doing for many years). However, from now on I would prefer that students no longer use the Shihan shogo and instead use the Renshi or Kyoshi shogo.

Why these changes?

Knowing that these titles are more related to character and conduct I think it sets a strong reminder for every student that developing ourselves as human beings (karate-DO) is equally important (if not more) than just developing our physical body or self-defence skills (karate-JUTSU). * ‘Do’ translating as ‘Path’ or ‘The way of’ and Jutsu (not to be confused with Jitsu) translating as ‘Technique’ or ‘Method’.

To quote the father of modern karate, Gichen Funakoshi, “The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the perfection of the character of its participants”.

I am aware that most of you do not train with our senior most instructors, but you may find yourself attending a seminar they conduct and its good information to know.

And for those who do currently train with them, this may take a period of acclimation but no doubt it will become habit before long.

Moving forward

As GKR surpasses 40 years of age and heads strongly to our 50th Anniversary, no doubt many more of our most dedicated karate-ka will be looking at their Roku-dan grades (6th dan). This will also qualify them for a Renshi shogo, a title to illustrate their decades of character growth and to serve as a constant reminder to always endeavour to be a great role model for others, both in and out of the dojo.

Some of those who achieve 6th dan will also be leaders and teachers of teachers, and as such will also qualify for a Shihan shogo. This means as the years pass you will be hearing titles of Renshi or Shihan, or Kyoshi or even Hanshi more-and-more. This truly excites me as it only illustrates that what we have all created is so special that people are sticking around for many decades.

I will finish by saying that one does not need such distinguished titles to become an expert instructor or student of great character. Nor does one need a title to become a role model for others. These are things we should all aim for to not only make our own lives better but also the lives of everyone around us.

Yours in the spirit of GKR Karate
Robert Sullivan

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The post Titles and Rankings with GKR Karate appeared first on GKR Karate.

We’ve all heard of cases over the years where a martial artist has applied their skills as a means of self-defence, only to later discover their attacker has pressed assault charges. In many cases, the attacker (the real criminal) wins the case. The martial artist, in their act of defending themselves, is charged. 

“How can this be?”, you might ask. It’s important for any person trained in martial arts to have a basic understanding of how the law works in self-defence.

To begin with, one should not lose hope. The law states that any person is entitled to defend themselves, their property or another person. However, for situations requiring this, only ‘reasonable force’ can be applied. What is seen as reasonable will depend entirely on the situation and its progress.

Reasonable or excessive force?

In cases where excessive force has been applied, the defendant may find themselves being charged. In these cases, the onus is on this prosecution to prove the martial artist (defender) used excessive force.

An example of reasonable force may be as follows. If you believe someone is about to be murdered, then you can use any appropriate method to prevent this. However, this does not give you free license to murder the assailant. If you use a metal bar to beat the assailant to the point that there is no further risk, you are breaking the law if you continue your attack. In essence, you can only do the minimum required to stop or avoid injury.

Having said that, this does not mean that if an assailant is seriously injured you will always be charged. For example, if an antagonist who attacks you ends up in a hospital with a broken skull, it does not mean you will be charged with assault. This is because the courts do recognise that a person defending himself cannot weigh to a nicety the exact measure of his necessary defensive action. If, in a moment of unexpected anguish, a person had only done what he had honestly and instinctively thought to be necessary, that would be potent evidence that only reasonable defensive action had been taken.

Self-defence and the law for women 

It is very rare that a man who attacks a woman, only to be beaten, could have her prosecuted for assault. Even in cases where she did know very clearly that her actions could cause serious injury. 

For example, where a woman puts her attacker in a hospital through gouging his eyes or twisting his testicles, although her knowledge that this action would cause injury, it would be deemed as necessary, providing she felt seriously threatened. However, where a woman engages in a fight (whether with another woman or man), the basic rules for self-defence and fighting would apply.

Self-defence and the law in the form of fighting 

Whilst the majority of people who take up martial arts do so with the intention to never use their skills – but for self-defence, there is a small percentage of people training whose aim is to learn to fight. In most fights involving a martial artist, it is more often these people who are involved. This often puts martial artists in a bad light with the law. Therefore when a karateka does find themselves in a fight, there are a number of things they should be aware of to ensure they can prove self-defence.

The most common place for fighting is any venue where alcohol is served. One drunk person provokes another and tries to initiate a fight. In the case of fighting, the degree of force permissible depends on whether the defendant’s actions were reasonable in the circumstances. If it were to go to court, it is important the martial artist had demonstrated by their actions that they did not want to fight. For a fight to be considered self-defence, one person must have shown that they tried to temper and disengage the situation, and perhaps make some physical withdrawal, but it was subsequently made clear that this was not possible. Again, to be deemed self-defence, once an attacker is completely stopped, no further attacks are permissible.

To be deemed self-defence, it does not mean the attacker must throw the first punch, but it obviously helps. If the martial artist has shown by their words and actions they have no intention to fight and are still provoked, providing the attacker is showing an aggressive nature and within your personal space, so much so that you felt endangered, then to throw a decisive strike is reasonable.

Self-defence and the law with weapons

Any martial artist who carries a martial arts weapon will be charged, even if they have used it only for the means of self-defence. Weapons are illegal, therefore it will be judged purely on the basis of you carrying and using an illegal weapon. If however, you were to use a weapon found in your current environment (e.g. belt, bin, broom etc.) then the same basic laws of reasonable force apply.

Self-defence and the law with kicks

It is considered that a martial artist is aware that their kicks are more powerful than their punches. Therefore, in cases of self-defence where kicks are used, it can potentially work against the martial artist. In a fight against one attacker, a kick to the groin, shin, or stomach may be deemed entirely reasonable. However, a kick to the ribs or face may be deemed excessive due to your knowledge of its danger. You would be required to show you felt endangered had you not thrown that kick.

Involvement with the police

When you are involved in a conflict to which the police are called, the following advice should be adhered to:

• Stay calm;
• Do not get dragged into an argument;
• Think about what you say, and say very little;
• Treat the police with respect and cooperate with everything they say;
• Take into account that police too are human. Sometimes the situation may initially place you in a bad light, particularly if you use an object to defend yourself. If they make an error in judgment, co-operate until you have opportunity to explain yourself.

The best self-defence within the law

Although a martial artist learns to block, punch and kick, the ultimate self-defence techniques they acquire are confidence and awareness. 

Whether self-defence is required in the form of a fight at a crowded venue, or being singled out and targeted for robbery or sexual assault, confidence and awareness are your best tools. This is because any person who wishes to cause harm to another, will look for ‘an easy victim’. 

A karateka who portrays a sense of confidence, i.e. head up and good eye contact will less likely be attacked. Furthermore, having an awareness of your environment means you are more able to sense danger and avoid the situation.

Further reading

• Real Life Confrontation: Self-Defence Beyond Technique
• Self-Defence in Australia
• Self-Defence in English Law
• The Law Relating to Self-Defence in New Zealand
• Self-Defence – Deciding in Advance

The post Self Defence Within the Law appeared first on GKR Karate.

Returning to karate training after an absence of any length can feel intimidating.

Life can throw a lot of curveballs, and sometimes it’s difficult to find the motivation to get back into training after facing personal challenges, illness, injuries or other setbacks.

Finding the motivation to return to the dojo after a break, especially when you have other commitments and responsibilities competing for your time and energy, is challenging.

Read on for tips to help you get back on the mat and rediscover the benefits of karate.

Start slowly

Getting back into the habit of training can be tough, especially if you haven’t been active for a while. Gradually increase the intensity of your training sessions as you build more strength and stamina.

You may find it helpful to go back to basics and review the fundamental techniques (kihon) to regain muscle memory and refresh your knowledge.

Remember to be patient and give yourself time as you ease back into your karate training routine.

It’s important to listen to your body. Don’t be afraid to take short breaks or scale back your training if you’re injured or unwell.

Seek additional support

Have realistic goals and ask for guidance from your Sensei or Sempai to ensure you are training safely and effectively. They can help you review techniques and concepts you may have forgotten and offer encouragement and support to assist in your return to training.

Our Online Dojo also contains an on-demand library of Kata videos that can complement your in-class training.

Set achievable goals

Setting achievable goals is important when returning to karate training after a break.

Consider your current fitness level and any physical limitations you may have.

Set short-term goals that are attainable within a reasonable amount of time, such as mastering a specific technique or increasing the number of push-ups you can do without a rest.

Starting with small, achievable goals can help you stay motivated and keep you from feeling overwhelmed. Progress may not always be linear – modify your goals to suit your current abilities and needs.

It can also be helpful to set long-term goals, such as earning a particular belt or participating in a tournament.

Celebrate your victories

As you return to training, celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how big or small. Recognising your achievements and reflecting on your progress helps maintain your motivation and a positive outlook towards your karate training.

Acknowledging your growth can give you confidence to continue working towards your goals.

Focus on the present

It’s natural to compare yourself to your previous performance levels, but try to stay focused on your current progress – what you can do today. It’s okay if you’re not at the same level as you were before your break. The most important thing is that you keep moving forward.

If you’ve been away from training for an extended period of time, you might find that you’ve forgotten some techniques and concepts. You may feel frustrated by this, but your instructors are committed to helping you reach your full potential, so don’t be afraid to reach out to them for support.

Train with a friend or family member

Training with others can be a great way to stay motivated and accountable. You’ll have someone to encourage you and push you to keep training, even when you don’t feel like it.

Karate is different from many other sports and activities, because families can train together if they wish to. Karate training as a family is a fun and enjoyable way to share a common interest, learn new skills and build stronger family bonds. Our classes offer a great workout and teach practical self-defence skills to people of all ages and abilities.

Change it up

If you’re feeling burnt out or discouraged, try starting a new training program or switching up your routine. Sometimes a change of scenery or a new challenge can be just what you need to get back into training. Try out a new GKR Karate dojo near you, or train on a different day.

Returning to karate training after an absence can be a challenge. But with the right mindset and approach can also be incredibly rewarding.

If you’re considering getting back into karate, don’t hesitate. Find your nearest dojo, attend your next class, and continue your karate journey today!

If you recently received an email from us, make sure you use the links provided in the email to reactivate your membership and continue your karate journey. We look forward to welcoming you back to the dojo soon!

The post Overcoming Challenges of Returning to Karate Training appeared first on GKR Karate.

Despite the intense heat in the UK and the freezing cold in Australia and New Zealand, our dojos have been hives of activity throughout July, with gradings, tournaments, seminars, and other special events.

Congratulations to everyone who has taken the next step in their karate journey over the past month and achieved their next grade!

Please wait while the album loads below or click here to view on Facebook. 

The post Grading Photos – July appeared first on GKR Karate.