Newsletter #07 - 7 September 2010

Master Goshi Yamaguchi

In September 2010, Master Goshi Yamaguchi visited New Zealand as part of the Japanese Festival held in Wellington and later put on a demonstration, followed by a seminar presented by Lynsay Johnson of I.K.G.A Goguryu New Zealand. Suffice to say, there was a strong attendance with the majority being Gojuryu but also very well represented by Shotokan, Wadoryu and of course, Kieran and myself represented Shitoryu.

Gregor McLachlan (Wadokai), Master Goshi Yamaguchi (Goju-Ryu) Dave Nuku (Shitokai), Kieran Nuku (Shitokai)

Master Goshi Yamaguchi Seminar, Wellington September 2010

Also attending was Shihan Shigeki Yamada, Shihan Gohei Yamaguchi, Keiici Ito, Kento Inamura, Kyoko Higuchi, Yoshei Akao, Yuriko Yamaguci, Masayo Fujimoto and Fumito Shinohara.

Attending Instructors

Training

Also, a busy month ahead, with a trip to the Middle East. Training will take a bit of a hit, however Gregor MacLachlan has offered to let our other members train with his club during that time. This is a good option, especially since this will also be during the term break. However, once we are back, it will be training as usual with time to prepare for Kyu grading and of course the Dan grading which are held in December in Whangarei. Dan grading is always something I look forward to and it allows us time with Sensei Bob and of course, all of Karatedo Shitokai New Zealand members.

Finally, all the best to Nicky, Matt and Zara who are competing in Oceania and looking forward to talking to Sensei Bob on our return.

Dave Nuku

Message from Sensei Bob Dalton

The big news this month is the shocking way Nicky Roberts has been treated by Karate NZ. After waiting 6 weeks, the selection criteria changed, following a formal complaint, thus reversing Nicky's selection for the World Champs in Serbia.  Although very disappointing we press on. Nicky is now totally focussed on Oceania in Tahiti. Incidentally, at the recent Auckland Karate Champs, Nicky was in great form, winning both the Junior and Senior women kata events.

I am very impressed with the progress that our 4th and 3rd Kyu members are making. They are beginning to look very good, with several now looking likely candidates for a further grading this year. We have, of course, some big gradings coming up at the end of the year in our now traditional Dan gradings. Matt Redfern and Aaron Springford are progessing well towards Shodan, as is Matt Burns for Nidan. Steve Sharp, Zara Wech and Gideon Hannekom are working up to 1st kyu gradings at the same time.

I must also say how impressed I am with young Yvette Hendrickse, she is progressing very well, and looking every day more like another Nicky Roberts. Early days Yvette, but keep up the good work, I personally think you are easily the most focussed young junior and your kihon just keeps on improving.

Well, that is it for now. Good luck to our three Oceania team members, Zara, Matt and Nicky, I know you will give it your all and that is all one can ask. Hopefully I will have good news upon our return from Tahiti, but regardless, I am very proud of them and I know the club is also. Don't be afraid to go to them and wish them well, they will appreciate it, and by the way, there will be a story on them in the Whangarei Report in the next few weeks.

Our sister club from Noumea, ASSOCIATION SHITORYU KARATEDO NOUVELLE CALEDONIE, attended the recent Auckland Open Championships, with a large contingent of their club members. There were 20 competitors, headed by their club president, Marie Jo Saintpierre, a very good  friend of mine and the person responsible for setting up our sister club arrangement. Also attending was one of the club head instructors, Noel Vutrong, who performed very well in senior men kata, placing second, a tremendous effort, losing the final 2-1 to Travis Butler of Auckland.

There were also several other Senior and Veteran competitors (they have a strong veteran membership in their club), with the rest made up of Juniors. I must say that it was tremendous to see all of them again, so soon after Matthew Baird and my recent visit.

Their results are as follows:

Roman Seigner 10/11 years, 2nd kata & 3rd kumite

Juliette Schmidt 10/11 years 3rd kata

Amelia Belmonte 10/11 years 3rd kata

David Simard 12/13 years 3rd kata

Noel Vutrong, 2nd senior men kata.

Their club has also had success, having two young women, Alicia and Kassie, named in the New Caledonian Oceania team, Alicia for Junior women and Kassie for -21 and Senior women kata. They are both excellent karateka and I fully expect them to push hard for medals in Tahiti. Kassie's brother Gregory has been preselected for the NC team to the South Pacific games next year. Congratulations to you all and we look forward to catching up and training again next year.             

Bob Dalton

Regards Dave Nuku