Okinawa2008

Fifteen members from GKC were fortunate enough to attend the Miyazato Memorial in Okinawa this November. Attendees included Sensei Jesse Torres, Owner and Chief instructor of GKC Kent, WA, and Sensei Yosuke Tanaka, instructor at GKC Carlsbad who has been living in Japan for the past few years. This was a fabulous training and cultural experience in addition to being an opportunity for us all to remember and pay our respects to the world famous teacher, the late Miyazato Eiichi Sensei. The Okinawans are superlative hosts and made all attendees feel welcome and part of the world-wide family which is the Jundokan.

Over 220 Okinawa Goju-Ryu practitioners (the majority instructors and high ranking black belts) traveled from all over the globe to be part of this memorble event. Instruction was at the highest level with students being broken into groups according to ranks. The instructors at the Jundokan are some of the finest and most knowledgeable Sensei in the world and so it was a real treat to receive such detailed instruction and to see them in action. Senseis Paul and Michelle remained in Okinawa for a week after the event which enabled them to receive personal instruction from these great instructors.

In addition to the training the event featured demonstrations and black belt testing. Six GKC members were recomended by Sensei Paul to test in front of the Jundokan panel of instructors (which included Kancho Miyazato, 10th Dans, 9th Dans, and 8th Dans). All of our students were successful and passed their test with flying colors. Sensei Paul was extremely proud of the way our contingent represented the Goju Karate Centers. Congratulations to the following:

Sensei Tim Schinhofen promoted to 4th Dan

Sensei Jesse promoted to 3rd Dan

Jori Enfield promoted to 2nd Dan

Sandy Waecker promoted to 2nd Dan

Michael DeAngelis promoted to 1st Dan

Alec Kosky promoted to 1st Dan

Saturday, November 8th, all fifteen members of GKC performed a well coordinated and exciting demonstration at the Naha sports complex which was well received. Thank you to Sensei Michelle and Sensei Jesse for working hard to ensure the demonstration came off without a hitch. Sunday, November 9th was the memorial ceremony held at the Pacific Hotel Naha. Speeches were made by various city dignitaries and Jundokan officials, special awards were given out and a commerative plaque was unveiled in honor of Miyazato Eiichi Sensei. The ceremony began with special demonstrations by only a few hand-picked participants. GKC was honored to have Sensei Paul and Ronnie Jones (one of the youngest attendees at the event) being asked to perform at these special demonstrations.