Kyokushin International Martial Arts Australia
Turramurra Honbu Dojo
Visit to Okinawa & Shihan Gradings - November 2011
Nov 8th, 2011 to Nov 14th, 2011
Shihan Howard and Shihan Rick travelled together to Okinawa on the 8th, Nov for one week’s training with Hokama Sensei.
The training consisted of the application of advanced Kata and more advanced Kobudo techniques and their application. Sensei placed great emphasis on the accuracy and speed of techniques and the important difference between instruction at student and teacher levels. Many new things were learnt and other techniques became more refined.
This was our 10th trip to Okinawa to train with Hokama Sensei over the last four years and proved to be most successful.
It came to both of us as a surprise when Sensei asked us to participate in a grade promotion test at the end of the week.
As result of this test Shihan Rick was awarded 4th dan and Shihan rank in Kobudo and Shihan Howard was awarded 5th dan and Shihan rank in Kobudo.
We will continue to travel to Okinawa at least once a year to further our training with Sensei and for the future benefit and development of our students.