SOME of the finest karate exponents down under and across the Tasman will gather in Raymond Terrace from Friday June 2 to Sunday June 4 for the prestigious Australasian Gasshuku tournament.

The three day event takes place at Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu’s NSW Honbu Dojo in Port Stephens with NSW Chief Instructor Shihan Bob King, 6th Dan, as host.

Shihan Bob King has more than 50 years experience in the martial arts, the past 27 years as a direct student of Hanshi Patrick McCarthy, 9th Dan.

Mr King told News Of The Area, “This is an annual gathering of all the Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu (KU) schools from Australia and New Zealand featuring participants from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and across the Tasman as well as some from non KU schools who share an interest in old style karate and kobudo (weapons) training.

“In a nutshell KU, as we refer to ourselves, focuses on practical application practices and the principles which govern those practices,” explained Shihan King.

This consists of percussive impact (striking), joint manipulation, chokes, strangles, throws and takedowns, ground fighting and pressure point manipulation.

These methods of addressing self defence are taught by way of single person or solo, exercises and two person drills.

This year’s Gasshuku will have a number of senior instructors teaching including Shihan Bill Johansen (5th Dan), Shihan Bob King (6th Dan), Shihan Peter Wetherspoon (6th Dan), Sensei Wolfgang Vogel (4th Dan) and Sensei David Beattie (3rd Dan).

Later this year five members of the Raymond Terrace Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu school will attend the 2023 World Gasshuku international event in Naha City on the Japanese island of Okinawa from October 21-24.

Shihan Bob King, 6th Dan and NSW Chief Instructor; Sempai Sally Lewis, 1st Dan; Sempai John Sullivan, 1st Dan; Tom Page 1st kyu and Jake Wallace (Junior Shodan) will fly the flag for Port Stephens on the trip.

More than 100 participants from 26 countries will attend the special event to train under the guidance of Hanshi Patrick McCarthy, 9th Dan, the founder and chief instructor of Koryu Uchinadi.

Those travelling to the World Gasshuku include the most senior instructors from around the world featuring several 6th Dans.

The fact that this event is being held in Okinawa – the birthplace of Karate – is of special significance to all those attending.

As well as training there will be tours of places of importance to the history and evolution of Karate.

As well as participating in the training, a few of those attending from the Raymond Terrace school will undergo rank assessment over the four days. Shihan Bob will be assessed for his 7th Dan, and Page and Wallace will both be assessed for their 1st Dan black belts.

For further enquiries contact Bob King on 0416 197 644.

By Chris KARAS