Kensuukan Dojo of Shorinjiryu Karate

Over the weekend of 18-19 March, members of the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association travelled to Brisbane to participate in the annual National Training Camp.

This year’s camp was attended by instructors and members of all 9 dojos – Kensuukan (Coonabarabran), Seiryukan (Brisbane), Torakai/Torakan (Logan City), Kensuikai (Innisfail), Yagizakai (Rockhampton), Shishikai (Brisbane), Seiryukai (Brisbane) and Kengokai (Sydney).

The Saturday kicked off with a welcome from our Chief Instructors, Renshi Jim Griffin, 5th Dan and Renshi Max Estens, 5th Dan, followed by a warm up. Then Tashi Anne Aylward (Torakai/Torakan) covered grappling with 2 opponents, based on the Sannin Kumite exercises. After this Tashi Graeme Bowden (Kensuukan) covered fighting strategy.

Following lunch, Renshi Jim and Tashi Lesley Griffin taught Naihanchin Waza, a 2 person drill based on the Naihanchin kata. The day was rounded out with an informative lesson on ground fighting and self defences from Tashi Peter Deasy (Kensuikai).

On Sunday, Tashi Des Paroz taught an early morning session on Bojutsu, including preparatory exercises (junbi undo) and the first segment of the Gorin no Kumibo drill. After breakfast and warm up, we were joined by the Patron of Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo, Shihan Phil Hooper, 7th Dan.

The first session was a run through by Tashi Des Paroz and Sensei Mark Zaglas on Kata Bunkai Drills, utilising the Tsuki Waza drill as a foundation, before working some self defence segments directly from 3 of the kata – Ananku, Naihanchin and Nijushiho.

After a break, Renshi Max taught the A, B, C, D & E’s of joint locking – a comprehensive drill regarding various locks and holds.

After lunch we moved onto a grading for 9 candidates attempting to progress to various black belt levels. The following 9 people were successful in their endeavours:

Promoted to Shodan-Ho (Probationary Black Belt)

• Amanda Bugden (Seiryukan)
• Dean McKernan (Kensuukan)

Promoted to Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt)

• Sensei Trevor Casini (Kensuukan)
• Sensei Jason Romer (Shishikai)

Promoted to Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt)

• Sensei Luisa Colman (Seiryukan)
• Sensei Tony Fletcher (Shishikai)
• Sensei Trevor Maher (Kensuikai)
• Sensei Krystal Sciacca (Torakai/Torakan)
• Sensei Mark Slingo (Yagizakai)

Congratulations to all for your efforts and results.