Shihan Gorai's Blog

Japan Day 2012 @ NYC’s Central Park

Posted on May 17, 2012 by gorai

Osu! From Kyokushin Karate New York

Osu. Sunday May 13, KKNY was invited to perform on stage at the 5th annual “Japan Day” in Central Park. Japan Day was founded in 2007 to celebrate the food, culture and history of Japan in NY. This year marked 100years ago when Japan gifted the USA with Cherry Trees as a sign of goodwill and peace.
Kyokushin performance took place in the middle of the park at the “Bandshell”. We had about 35 adult and children representing KKNY-NJ. Students showed Kyokushin Basics, Ido Geiko, Kata, Kumite and Tameshiwari. Highlight was Sensei Keiji Ouchi family self-defense demo, Senpai Stan’s shihowari with baseball bat breaking, and Senpai Takao Miyashita’s breaking 200lbs of ice to finish.
The organizers were very happy and all Kyokushin NY members did a great job. Thanks to families and parents for your support, Osu!
Video links courtesy of Sato family:

http://youtu.be/9H40aOQvo20

http://youtu.be/IO32H3v3Grk

http://youtu.be/4vsXA599_UE

Posted in Shihan Gorai | Tagged championships, dojo, fight, fighting, gorai, iko, japan day, karate, kata, kkny, knockdown, kumite, kyokushin, kyokushinkaikan, martial arts, matsui, new york karate, ny dojo, osu, oyama, tournament | Comments Off

IKO Russian Spring Camp

Posted on May 12, 2012 by gorai

Kyokushin Ekaterinberg Camp

The IKO Russian Spring Camp was held in Ekaterinburg from May 3rd to 6th, organized by IKO Russia Branch Chief, Sensei Mikhail Medovshikov. 130 Russian members from children to seniors from the central Russian region. IKO Russian Branch Chiefs, Shihan Valentin Gedz, Sensei Igor Komarov and Sensei Vladimir Sobakar supported the camp led by guest Instructor, Shihan Katsuhito Gorai.
Ekaterinburg is the fouth-largest city in Russia, situated in the central region, and it is famous for being the internationally recognized border city that separates Europe and Asia.
The 4-day-intensive training covered all basics and kata including the classical Tekki 1~3, and concluded with IKO Dan and Kyu examination for all students. Russian Children are very enthusiastic and work out very hard. It is no wonder that Nikoleishiveli, the current World Champion is from Russia, and the youngest person in history to accomplish this goal at just 19yrs old. I believe Russian members future is very bright.

Kyokushin Ekaterinberg Camp

Posted in Shihan Gorai | Tagged camp, ekaterinberg, gorai, iko, kaikan, karate, karate grading, kata, kkny, kyokushin, kyokushinkaikan, matsui, oyama, russia, seminar, tekki | Comments Off

Ukraine Spring Camp

Posted on April 30, 2012 by gorai

Ukraine Kyokushin Spring Camp

IKO Ukrainian Spring Camp was held at Ponizovka, Crimea from April 27 to 29, organized by IKO Ukraine Branch Chiefs, Shihan Sergey Vsevolodov and Shihan Stanislav Bliznyuk. Shihan Katsuhito Gorai, International Committee member, was the guest instructor to lead the camp. 345 students attended including IKO Moldova members and Branch Chief Traian Velixar.
Ponizovka is a picturesque mountainside village by the Black Sea. The weather was sunny and temperature was 78F (25.5C) during the sessions. Best time of year for outdoor training.

Posted in Shihan Gorai | Tagged camp, gorai, karate, matsui, new york karate, ukraine | Comments Off

Paris Bercy

Posted on March 31, 2012 by gorai

Japan vs. France ~ Kyokushin One Match in Paris 2012

Osu. I was in Paris last weekend for IKO Kyokushinkaikan Japan vs. France at Bercy arena. 6 Japanese Team in One-Match Fights with 6 French Team. Results were 3-3, so a draw. Fighters did well and the crowd at the annual Festival des arts Martiaux was excited. The event was aired live on French National TV.
Same weekend, former World Open Champion, Shihan Hitoshi Kiyama conducted Polish Fighter’s Camp for almost 200 students in Poland and another former World Open Champion, Shihan Fransisco Filho conducted Training Seminar in Montreal, Canada. Many events happened in March and Kyokushin is truly a global organization.
IKO Honbu Web has results and info on coming and past events:
http://www.kyokushinkaikan.org/en/news/index.html

Tonight at 8:30pm eastern time in NY, USA is “Earth Hour”. We will participate by shutting off all electronics for one hour at that time to save energy. Osu!
http://www.worldwildlife.org/sites/earthhour/index.html

Posted in Shihan Gorai | Tagged bercy, camp, canada, championships, fighting, filho, gorai, iko, kaikan, karate, kiyama, knockdown, kumite, kyokushin, kyokushinkaikan, martial arts, martiaux, matsui, oyama, paris, polish, training | Comments Off

Spain and France

Posted on March 21, 2012 by gorai

spanish kyokushin

Last week, I was in Badalona, Spain for the Spanish International Karate Championships organized by new IKO Branch Chief, Shihan Daniel Lorente. 147 competitors from 8 countries (Poland, Hungary, France, Serbia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Costa Rica and Spain) participated. It was a charity fundraiser event so proceeds from the championships were donated to the Cancer Foundation of Badalona. Next day, I held an IKO Training Seminar day and about 180 people attended.

I had a chance to visit city of Barcelona on the way to tournament city and walked the long street, ’Ramblas’. Architecture is mix of ancient and modern. Salvador Dali buildings and sculpture is everywhere.

We had a Spring Promotion Exam at NY Dojo on Sunday 3/18 for about 70 students. I was very glad to see people took a lot of effort to deveolop themselves. There were clear improvements all in all.

This weekend, I am in France for the “Festival des Arts Martiaux” at Bercy arena in Paris, sponsored by Karate Bushido Magazine. IKO Kyokushinkaikan will hold a special Kyokushin One-Match event: ”Japan vs. France”, this Saturday 3/24.
See Karate Bushido web (French) for details:
http://karatebushido.com/content/le-karate-kyokushin-bercy-la-s%C3%A9lection-francejapon

Matches will be:
Juniors :
1] JORDAN DELAMARE vs HIROHISA NISHINO
2] SOFIANE BOUKRABIA vs KAITO UEDA
Seniors :
1] ANTONIO TUSSEAU vs KYOHEI AJIMA
2] BAPTISTE DELAUNAY vs ZENJURO MORI
3] LUCIAN GOGONEL vs YUTA SAWAMURA
4] DJEMA BELKHODJA vs SHOHEI KAMADA

I just arrived and French newsmedia is covering the tragic shooting incident in Toulouse. I hope our activities continue to help develop international friendship. We should work hard now so our children can see World Peace in their lifetime. Osu!

Posted in Shihan Gorai | Tagged championships, fight, fighting, france, france vs japan, gorai, iko, karate, karate grading, kkny, knockdown, kumite, kyokushin, kyokushinkaikan, martial arts, matsui, new york karate, ny dojo, one match, osu, oyama, spain, spanish kyokushin, training | Comments Off

One Year Later

Posted on March 12, 2012 by gorai

Osu. Sunday, March 11 was the one year anniversary of the Great Tohoku Earthquake in Japan. Around the world we could remember the almost 20,000 people who were lost in the huge M9 earthquake and tsunami and hear from the news agencies about how the people are recovering still. It is a long way to go.

Kancho Matsui released a message yesterday. Please read it here: http://www.kyokushinkaikan.org/en/news/2012/03/1year-anniversary-of-the-great-tohoku-earthquake.html

IKO Kyokushinkaikan President Kancho Shokei Matsui

Osu.

Posted in Shihan Gorai | Tagged iko, kyokushin, kyokushinkaikan, matsui, tohoku, tsunami | Comments Off

IKO Open International Championships Spain

Posted on March 8, 2012 by gorai

IKO Technical Seminar Spain

Osu. I am in Barcelona, Spain getting ready for IKO Open International Championships Saturday. Sunday I will lead IKO Technical Training seminar. We just finished lunch at excellent tapas restaurant near Ramblas. I have been traveling a lot this winter for tournaments, camps and seminars. It is a great opportunity to be able to meet so many people and learn about cultures from all over the world through Kyokushin.

Later this month I will be in Paris for the annual Festival des Arts Martiaux at Bercy. IKO Kyokushinkaikan will stage Japan vs France – Zenjuro Mori vs Baptiste Delaunay at the world’s largest “Festival des Arts Martiaux” spomsored by Karate Bushido Magazine at Paris-Bercy.
You can find out more at these links:

http://karatebushido.com/content/zenjuro-mori-vs-baptiste-delaunay-bercy

https://www.facebook.com/pages/KARATE-BUSHIDO-OFFICIEL/212990105427666?sk=wall

At NY Dojo, we announced the 2012 All American Open International Karate Championships date set for JUNE 23 in NYC. Applications are available next week, Osu!

Posted in Shihan Gorai | Tagged barcelona, championships, fighting, gorai, iko, kaikan, karate, kata, kkny, knockdown, kumite, kyokushin, kyokushinkaikan, martial arts, matsui, new york karate, ny dojo, oyama, seminar, spain, technical seminar, tokyo, tournament, training | Comments Off

Swiss Winter Camp

Posted on February 28, 2012 by gorai

Osu. I just got back from Switzerland where we held IKO Training Seminar on Feb 17, 18 and 19 in Lausanne on Lake Geneva organized by IKO Switzerland Branch Chief, Sensei Giuseppe Biancaniello.
IKO members from Switzerland, Romania and France participated. In addition to sessions for all students, special intensive sessions for children and youths were held. Everybody did a good job and trained hard.

2012 IKO Swiss Kyokushin Winter Camp

It was first time for me to visit Switzerland for IKO event. My family joined me after the training and we were able to experience Swiss-French alpine culture and food and even do skiing a couple of days. After knee surgery last year, I am lucky to ski. Osu!

ski in alps

Posted in Shihan Gorai | Tagged camp, dojo, europe, gorai, iko, kaikan, karate, kyokushin, kyokushinkaikan, polish, romania, seminar, swiss, switzerland, training, winter camp | Comments Off

IKO Iran International Elite Kyokushin Championships

Posted on February 12, 2012 by gorai

The Iran International Elite Karate Championships was held at Urmie, Iran on 2/11/12 organized by Shihan Seyed Mohammadi, IKO Iranian Branch Chief.

Urmie is a picturesque city in Northern Iran near the borders of Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. It is famous for it’s “Lake Urmine”, the world biggest salt lake. The arena was packed with well over 4,000 excited spectators to welcome the international invited Kyokushin teams from Japan, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, and Poland.

Results are following. Iranian Kyokushin competitors showed exceptional potential to be one of the top international contender nations in the future. Osu!

Light: 1st: Rahim Karimi Nasab (Iran)
2nd: Antonio Grigorescu (Romania)
3rd: Yuko Kimura (Japan)
4th: Naoya Kimura (Japan)

Middle: 1st: Masanaga Nakamura (Japan)
2nd: Mousa Bagheri (Iran)
3rd: Giga Shamatava (Russia)
4th: Iunusov Sultanametkhan (Ukraine)

Heavy: 1st: Nima Feizi (Iran)
2nd: Amin Azimi (Iran)
3rd: Yuta Takahashi (Japan)
4th: Marcin Prachnio (Poland)

IKO Iran International Elite Championships

Posted in Shihan Gorai | Comments Off

Romania training

Posted on February 5, 2012 by gorai

indoors training

Osu. Luckily we had many students attend the training. Even through the snow they came. We trained 4 sessions yesterday and first one was at dawn. Snowfall was record in Romania for the last 50yrs. Kyokushin, OSU!

after snow training!

Posted in Shihan Gorai | Tagged bucharest, camp, gorai, iko, karate, kata, kumite, kyokushin, martial arts, matsui, oyama, romania, seminar, training | Comments Off