Shihan Gorai's Blog

I am back to NYC. I was in Reunion, French Island in Indian Ocean for the 1st International Children and Youth Championships. It was organized by local host Senpai Jean-Luc Vodapodagom at a city of St. Denis on Sep 29. Kancho Shokei Matsui, Shihan Kenny Uytenbogaardt, International Committee Representative and South African Branch Chief and I oversaw the event. Approximately 100 kids aged 6 to 17 from Reunion, South Africa, Seychelles and Mauritius participated. This was the 1st international event in Reunion and I hope Senpai Jean-Luc will further develop Reunion Kyokushin to the next level.

A scary incident occurred during the weekend. He is Ok now, but one of the South African Branch Chiefs was hit by a car at night in Reunion. He suffered 5 broken ribs and several cuts on his head, but he was rushed to the hospital and luckily is doing fine now. I was informed that he went back safely to his country. Cars drive on the left side of the street in South Africa, like in the UK and Japan, but cars drives on the right side in Reunion, as in France and the USA. Unfortunately, he looked only to one side before crossing the street, and it was very dark. I am glad he is Ok now, so I suggest you should look at both sides before crossing just in case.

I was back to NY for one night and then flew to Calgary for the IKO North American Black Belt Conference in Banff, Canada. This training camp was organized by Canadian Branch Chief, Shihan Stuart Corrigal and 90+ participants from 7 countries including Canada, USA, UK, Japan, Russia, Australia, and South Africa enjoyed 3-day-intensive camp on Oct 5, 6, and 7. Shihan Kenny Uytenbogaardt, who I was with in Reunion a few days ago, Shihan Koichi Kawabata, Kyoto Branch Chief and I led the training sessions. By the way, former NY Instructor, Sensei Slawek Was, is now living in Kyoto and regularly teaches at Shihan Kawabata’s Kyoto Branch. I was happy to hear Slawek doing a good job for Kyokushin in Japan.

One of the main events in Banff was the climb up Tunnel Mountain. It was a perfect day, and all participants made it to the top to see the great view, and enjoy fresh air and outdoor Kyokushin training on the top of the mountain.

So in the last two weekends, I went from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere. Now back to NY and ready for Brown & Black belt class & judging clinic this Friday at midtown dojo.

At the end of September in NY, we had several students take Sho Dan Black Belt test. I am happy to watch student’s improvement over the years to get to this level. *Keep up your training NY Black Belts, and come to international camp and tournament abroad with me someday, Osu!

IKO Kyokushinkaikan Black Belts on Tunnel Mountain in Banff, Canada