SKA at First JKA Gasshuku in Greece, December 2016

SKA at First JKA Gasshuku in Greece, December 2016

SKA members with Sensei Koichiro Okuma 6th Dan JKA HQ Instructor and Sensei Tatsuya Naka 7th Dan JKA HQ Instructor

On Thursday 8th December,  SKA Black Belts set off to yet another Training destination, this time to participate in JKA WF Hellas’ first official JKA Gasshuku in Athens, Greece.

On Friday, prior to the initiation of the Gasshuku, several SKA Black Belts and an accompanying SKA Kyu Grade joined Jama Dojo members in rigorous, advanced training under the spirited instruction of Sensei George Saniotis.

SKA with Sensei George Saniotis, Jama Dojo, Athens, Greece

SKA with Sensei George Saniotis and Jama Dojo members

The JKA Gasshuku training commenced on Saturday 10th December at the Dais Sports Centre in Athens. Karateka from all over Greece and several European Countries eagerly awaited participation in this event. Training sessions were led by the highly esteemed, exceptional and charismatic JKA HQ Instructors Sensei Tatsuya Naka 7th Dan JKA, and Sensei Koichiro Okuma 6th Dan JKA.

SKA Black Belt Leanne Grech with Sensei Tatsuya Naka in his demonstration of technique

SKA Sensei Paul Falzon with Sensei Tatsuya Naka in demonstration of technique

SKA Sensei Paul Falzon with Sensei Tatsuya Naka in demonstration of technique

Sessions with Sensei Naka were focussed on his deep understanding of complex detail for development of effective technique in Kihon and Kata, linking this to Kumite training with Sensei Koichiro Okuma. Both Sensei Naka and Sensei Okuma gave an inspirational display of perfection in Karate technique with excellent and exciting instruction and enthusiastic explanations.

First JKA Gasshuku Athens, Greece

Sensei Tatsuya Naka, JKA Gasshuku Athens, Greece

On Sunday morning, a Referee and Judges Course also took place under the guidance of Sensei Naka and Sensei Okuma, during which SKA Black Belts were given the opportunity to compete in several Friendly Kumite Matches.

SKA Sensei Paul Falzon, Sensei Kenneth Farrugia and Sensei Keith Falzon with Sensei Tatsuya Naka 7th Dan JKA HQ Instructor and Sensei Koichiro Okuma 6th Dan JKA HQ Instructor

SKA Black Belts with Sensei Koichiro Okuma 6th Dan JKA HQ Instructor

SKA Sensei Paul Falzon and Leanne Grech with Sensei Valery Balashov, Chief Instructor JKA Russia

A Sayonara Party followed that evening, with SKA members being deeply honoured at having been given the opportunity to join Sensei Naka and Sensei Okuma in long Karate Conversation of Budo Karate which is at the heart of our Association. An unexpected, exciting and extraordinary experience our members will certainly continue to cherish!

SKA with Sensei Tatsuya Naka and Sensei Koichiro Okuma in Karate Conversation after Sunday Training

SKA would like to thank and congratulate JKA W.F. Hellas for their hospitality and the organization of the 1st official JKA Gasshuku in Greece, and look forward to participating in further training seminars in Greece in the near future!

Oss!