Strong Koshinkai Performance at WKKF Oceania Cup

On the weekend of 9–10 June, instructors and members of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo gathered at the Gold Coast to participate in the World Koshiki Karate-do Federation’s Oceania Cup and seminars with WKKF Founder, So Shihan Masayuki Hisataka.

Koshinkai members participating included chief instructors Kyoshi Jim Griffin and Shihan Max Estens, Senior Instructors Shihan Des Paroz and Renshi Graeme Bowden, Instructors Tasshi Tony Fletcher, Tasshi Marnie Roberts, Sensei Mark Slingo and Sensei Leanne Sippel, and other members from Brisbane, Coonabarabran and Melbourne Dojos.

On the Saturday, So Shihan Hisataka conducted a seminar that covered the WKKF approach to Bunkai Kumite, studying some bunkai applications from the kata Bassai. These looked at applications based on Juho (soft techniques), Goho (hard techniques) and Bukiho (weapons techniques). Following a break, some bogu kumite drills were covered, and the seminar concluded with a review of Koshiki competition refereeing and judging.

The WKKF Oceania Cup tournament was on the Sunday, and Koshinkai members displayed a high level of courtesy, comraderie and technical skill. Our contingent did very well, with outstanding participation as follows:
- Deji Balogun: strong performance in both kata and shiai
- James Bowden: 1st place in kata and 3rd place in shiai
- Amanda Bugden: strong performance in both kata and kumite
- Jed Dunmore: 2nd place in shiai and strong performance in kata
- Leesa Dunmore: 3rd place in shiai and strong performance in kata
- Olivia Grech: 3rd place in kata, and strong performance in shiai
- Dean McKernan: 3rd Place in shiai, and strong performance in kata
- Marnie Roberts: 1st place and 2nd place performances in kata (2 divisions)
- Leanne Sippel: 2nd place and 3rd place performances in kata (2 divisions)

With participants from Japan, Russia, New Zealand, Italy and Samoa, as well as from around Australia, we can all be proud of the strong performance of our Koshinkai contingent.

Having been formed in 2011, Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Australia is based on a tradition built on 35 years of Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo, 65 years of the Shorinjiryu Karatedo of Kaiso Kori Hisataka and centuries of Okinawan karate. With this foundation, we are proud to practice a classical art whilst participating strongly in modern sporting karate systems such as Koshiki Karatedo. In this way, we balance the old and the new…