IOGKF International Magazine | Page 31

From the 12th to 15th September 2013, in Moscow the most important event for all karateka in Russia was held. The Euro-Asian Gashshuku under the guidance of Morio Higaonna Sensei, with Tetsuji Nakamura Sensei, Masakazu Kuramoto Sensei and Ernie Molyneux Sensei was set to be an event to remember. On the 12th of September Morio Higaonna Sensei, Ernie Sensei, Nakamura Sensei and Kuramoto Sensei visited IOGKF Russia Honbu Dojo – “Higaonna Dojo”,which was opened in 2011 by leader of IOGKF Russia, Sensei Bogdan Kurilko. All of the senior level instructors were impressed by the new home of Russian IOGKF. On this day training was for 3rd Dan and above. The next day, in a modern sports complex in the south-west of Moscow, we began basic training. All participants were divided into four groups according to the colour of their belts. Within four hours of training each group had time to practice with three of the four Teachers. As a result, through the Gashuku, each participant received a wealth of knowledge and experience. The seminar was attended by representatives of not only Russian Goju Ryu, but also representatives of Kiekushinkay, Shito Ryu, Shotokan, Kosiki and Ruei Ryu Karate. The seminar was attended by 180 participants from 17 cities of Russia and 11 countries: England, Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, UAE, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. It is very difficult to describe the feelings of a unique karate festival like this one. One word that comes to mind is Great! During the breaks between trainings Morio Higaonna Sensei, Nakamura Sensei, Sensei Ernie and Kuramoto Sensei visited the most famous Russian martial arts school - Sambo 70. Two months before Higaonna Sensei visited, Sambo 70 was visited by President Putin. On September 15th , in the evening , in a large theater, Sensei Bogdan Kurilko organised the first Russian Okinawan martial art festival which involved representatives of Chinese martial arts from the south of China, Russian representatives of Shorin Ryu , Uechi Ryu , Motobu Ryu Udun ti , Ryukyu kobudo, Matayoshi kobudo and Bunbukan kobudo . In the second part of the combat show, over two hours , Goju ryu representatives demonstrated our fighting arts . The most important and long-