Month: May 2016

WSKF South Africa hosts our World Chief Instructor – Hitoshi Kasuya Sensei – 2016

25 May
Otto Rogowski 0 Comment Latest News ,

WSKF South Africa, under the leadership of Michael Dukas Sensei, was recently honoured to host Hitoshi Kasuya Sensei, (8th Dan) the Chief Instructor of The World Shotokan Karate-Do Federation and one of the leading Shotokan karate instructors in the world.

 

Kasuya Sensei is a former protégé of Master Nakayama Sensei who had an important impact on him because of his scientific approach to karate and his ability to challenge his students.

 

Kasuya Sensei is acknowledged and respected worldwide for his unique teaching method, scientific approach and dynamic technical skill. He emphasizes rotational dynamics and a thinking, analytical approach to Shotokan karate.

 

During his short visit to South Africa, Kasuya Sensei presented a number of training seminars – a session each for junior Grades (White to Green belts) and a session each dedicated to more senior Grades (Blue to Black) belts in Pretoria and Vanderbijlpark respectively as well as special training session for WSKF South Africa instructors. Those who attended were inspired by the world-renowned Karate Master who has excelled in both kata (set forms) and kumite (sparring) throughout his karate career spanning several decades.

Michael Dukas Sensei, (7th Dan) Chief Instructor of WSKF South Africa and Vice President of WSKF in Africa has known Kasuya Sensei for many years and recalls training with him in Japan as early as (date?) where he witnessed first-hand one of most versatile karateka of all time. Kasuya Sensei was a member of Japan’s national team until 1982.

 

Currently he is active as an instructor and referee. Kasuya Sensei is also in great demand on the seminar circuit and spends a large part of his year abroad teaching seminars in the different WSKF member countries. [The World Shotokan Karate-Do Federation (WSKF) has members in 75 countries.

 

 

Dukas Sensei says, “We are very pleased that Kasuya Sensei managed to find time in his very busy schedule to visit South Africa. I am sure that our members who attended the seminars gained a lot of knowledge and insight from this exceptional opportunity. I hope they appreciate our Chief Instructor’s excellent contribution and that they will apply his teachings on the various karate techniques and karate etiquette in particular for the improvement of their own karate and to the benefit of karate in general.

We look forward to the World WSKF Championships which will be held in Tokyo, Japan in August 2017.”

Berg Gasshuku – 2016

04 May
Otto Rogowski 0 Comment Latest News , ,

WSKF SA hosted the senior Gasshuku in April. The beautiful Injisuthi in the Central Drakensberg was the chosen venue.

Most students stayed in the self-catering chalets, with the more adventurous students deciding to camp out at the adjacent campsite.

The Gasshuku was well supported by students from the various WSKF dojos around Gauteng.
The training started on Saturday morning with a vigorous 5.5km hike through the Drakensberg mountains to the dojo. This is one of the most beautiful natural dojos nested between the mountains and alongside a flowing river!

 

All students were very excited to have the first training session presented by the well missed Bryan Dukas Sensei. The session was tough with a strong focus on Kihon, improving leg strength and repetition. Bryan Dukas Sensei high level of enthusiasm and spirit set the tone for the remaining training sessions.
John Rust Sensei presented the next session with his usual dynamic view on kumite training. Students trained in pairs and focused on improving their target and reaction time. The importance of correct distance was emphasized during kumite.

A fundamental session focusing on correct hip rotation and application was presented by Mike Dukas Sensei. A good portion of this session was focused on correcting the basics and ensuring a good understanding of correct hip technique. The session was concluded with yoko geri-keage (side snap kick) training focusing on correct hip action and timing.
Marius Jordaan Sensei taught a hard session on basic kumite combinations and re-emphasized the technical points presented in the earlier sessions. Students had to maintain strong techniques through repetition.
The training was concluded with the final session presented by Bryan Dukas Sensei. Students stepped into the river for the final special session of hara (lower abdomen) training and then applying these principles to the kata Tekki Shodan.

The tired group then took on the 5.5km hike back to the campsite. A pit stop for a quick swim in the river was welcomed to relieve the sore muscles.
Saturday evening was reserved for some much needed socializing with everyone enjoying good company and conversation around the braai place.
A nunchakus session was presented by Marius Jordaan Sensei on Sunday morning. The basic principles were taught, followed by more complex combinations. The class concluded with a very interesting nunchaku kata.

It was interesting to see the consistency between all the sessions presented by the Shihankai with the general Gasshuku theme focusing on effective Kihon through repetition. Correct Kihon could then be applied in both kumite and kata.

Students departed on Sunday morning, leaving with happy hips and high spirits!