News Articles
Sensei Karl Naoroji passes "Special Examination Rights" at the 2011 JKA International Training Camp (Autumn), Sohonbu Tokyo Japan
6th Oct - 10th Oct 2011
Sensei Karl Naoroji is the first and the only New Zealander from JKA to pass the
"Special Examination Rights" this October at the International training camp just concluded at the Japan Karate Association Sohonbu dojo (head quarters) in Tokyo, Japan.With this "special examination rights" granted to Sensei Karl by the JKA WF, he is the only official JKA instructor who can conduct a JKA Dan examination (Black Belt exam) in New Zealand.
This examination was conducted by Shusheki Shihan (Chief Instructor of JKA WF) Masaaki Ueki and a panel of other senior masters such as Tanaka, Osaka & Oishi.
This is a very proud moment for Sensei Karl and New Zealand.
Shihan Takaatsu Nishimura & Sensei Walter Stark also passed "special examination rights" from Australia.
This year the international training camp was attended by over 150 Japanese & 80 odd foreign Instructors from all accross the JKA world.
Sensei Zel Unkovich from JKA Auckland and Neil Reaney from JKA Pakuranga also attended the camp.
In total there was 4 days of training broken in to 7 Seminars which included Kihon & Ippon Kumite.
Senior black belt katas such as Souchin, Nijushiho, Gojushiho-dai & Bassai-sho were taught in detail with special emphasis on salient points and bunkai.
It was once again a fantastic feeling to be at the part of this truly international event.
Sensei Tatsuya Naka, JKA HQ Instructor visits Auckland, New Zealand
15th Sept - 18th Sept 2011
This was Sensei Naka's third visit to New Zealand.
The 4 day camp was a grand success with karatekas young and old, juniors to the very senior belts participated from various JKA and other karate clubs around New Zealand & Australia.
There were over 120 participants all coming together to culminate and upgrade their karate skills under the watchful eyes of Sensei Naka. The feeling was simply wonderful.
It is without doubt that Naka Sensei's presence this year and over the past couple of years have brought about a great deal of enthusiasm and strength in character for all us New Zealand karate members.
The New Zealand national squad members who just returned from Thailand having participated in the 12th World Karate Championships have a great deal to thank Sensei Naka for helping us build towards this event.
This year Sensei Naka was presented a special plaque by Shihan Dennis May of Karate New Zealand at a private party acknowledging his outstanding contribution to New Zealand Karate-Do.
We look forward to sensei's training next year !
JKANZ National Karate Champs New Zealand
31st July 2011
This year saw over a hundred karatekas participating in an all day event hosted by the Japan karate Association New Zealand at the Clouston Hall in St. Cuthberts College Epsom on 31st July 2011..
Karateka's from all JKA and various other Shotokan clubs in New Zealand participated in both Kata & Kumite events for Boys, Girls, Men's and Women's categories.
Noriaki Nakazawa from JKA Pakuranga won both the Men's Kata & Kumite titles for the second year running.
The Women's Kumite title was secured by Arisa Iwasaki of SKIF dojo & the Womens Kata was won by Briar Fleming of JKA Auckland.
This tournament was a perfect dress rehersal for the JKA members who were selected to travel to Pattaya, Bangkok for the World Karate Championships later on in September.
RESULTS SUMMARY..............click here.
Sensei Yuko Hirayama, JKA HQ Instructor visits Auckland, New Zealand
13th June - 19th June 2011Training with Sensei Hirayama was simply fantastic as she showed a wealth of experience and knowledge in her teaching.
The New Zealand national squad members selected to participate in the 12th Funakoshi Gichin World Karate Championships benefitted immensely from Sensei's training.
This training programme was very well attended by all JKANZ members and other Shotokan clubs around Auckland. We had a total of almost 160 participants involved over a period of 7 days.
Sensei Hirayama seen here in a slightly jovial mood with the women and girl members of JKANZ.
Sensei Shimizu Ryosuke, JKA HQ Instructor visits Auckland, New Zealand
February 2011Sensei Shimizu was an great inspiration to the JKANZ members during his brief visit to Auckland.
He impressed the entire lot with his strong flamboyant style and left behind a lasting impression not only with the senior New Zealand squad members but also the very young.
The kumite drills / combinations he made us practice were simple, yet extremely effective when it came to implementing them in daily kumite techniques.
He is by far one of the very top exponents of kumite from the JKA Honbu.
We are sure to see him soon in Pattaya, Thailand at the World championships as a part of the elite Japanese team.
Executive Director & General Manager of Technical division of JKA HQ, Sensei Yoshiharu Osaka visits Auckland, New Zealand
2nd Nov - 4th Nov 2010
Sensei Osaka, 8th Dan from the JKA head quarters is considered "An outstanding example of technique, quality, continuity, tempo and skill".
He studied karate from the "Takushoku university" and completed the JKA’s special instructor training course in 1972. Ever since has been a full time Instructor at the JKA head quarters.
Sensei Osaka's mastery of kata and techinical skill is legendary. From 1978 Sensei Osaka held a record of winning the JKA Kata Championships never loosing upto 1983.
He also won the JKA Kumite Championships in 1976.
His visit to New Zealand was a grand success.
2010 JKA International Joint Training Camp (Autumn), Sohonbu Tokyo Japan
7th Oct - 10th Oct 2010
The October gasshaku generally attracts less overseas participants compared to April but surprisingly the support was as good if not better. There were in total close to 250 participants present both from overseas as well as Japan.
Sensei Ueki Masaaki is now "Shusheki Shihan" (Chief Instructor) of the JKA and at a flash ceremony received his 9th dan from Master Sugiura Motokuni.
Tokyo weather this time was hot and very humid with temperatures in the high twenties.
New Zealand was well represented at the camp by Sensei Karl Naoroji, Sensei Zel Unkovich along with their respective students Noriaki Nakazawa, Neil Reaney and Bianca Stewart.
Brief Schedule of training :-
Day 1 : 1st seminar - Kihon & Heian Katas / 2nd seminar-Kata Tekki Shodan; Jion; Kanku dai
Day 2 : 3rd seminar - Kata Tekki Nidan & Hangetsu / 4th seminar- Kata Tekki Sandan & Gankaku
Day 3 : 5th seminar - Judges Practical Training / 6th seminar - Kumite training Judges, Instructors & Examiners qualification exams / Dan examinations.
Day 4 : 7th seminar - Kumite TrainingCamp concluded Sunday afternoon with the closing ceremony and the announcement of Qualification Examinations results.
Results Oct from New Zealand :-
Noriaki Nakazawa - Instructor C (re-validated) ; Examiner D (re-validated) ; Judge C
Neil Reaney - Instructor D (April 2010) ; Judge D
JKANZ goes from strength to strength
With the amalgamation of three new clubs JKA Devonport, JKA Epsom & JKA Kenshikan; Japan Karate Association of New Zealand increases its strength to over 200 members.
JKANZ welcomes all its new members who are now officially granted full membership along with the two pioneer clubs JKA Auckland & JKA Pakuranga.
JKA HQ Instructor Sensei Tatsuya Naka visit Auckland, New Zealand - Report
9th Sep - 12th Sep 2010
This was Sensei Naka's second visit to New Zealand this September.
Japan Karate Association New Zealand was once again proud to host this dynamic and charismatic instructor from the JKA head quarters to be a part of a 4 day training seminar and Dan grading programme.
The Venue was Clouston Hall, St Cuthbert's in Epsom with seminars conducted by Naka Sensei for Juniors followed by Senior training.
Members from various Shotokan clubs from all over New Zealand were present in large numbers to train along side Sensei Naka.
Kihon & Kumite techniques were practiced uniquely with special emphasis on block / counter attack combinations.
Heian Kata finer points re-established & senior kata Gojushio Sho & Chinte taught with complete breakdown of individual movements along with Bunkai (explanation).
On the last day of the seminar Naka Sensei conducted the Dan examinations in the afternoon where members appeared for Sho dan & Ni Dan examinations from various JKANZ clubs.
JKANZ National Karate Champs New Zealand
22nd Aug 2010
The weekend of 22nd August 2010 saw karatekas from all across Auckland converge upon St. Cuthbert's college "Clouston hall" to participate in the
"JKANZ National Karate Champs".Sensei Dennis May from International Goju Ryu Karate was one of the invited guests.
It was a fantastic event with over 150 participants from New Zealand and Australia taking part in Kata & Kumite events for Boys, Girls, Men's and Women's categories.
Some of the Shotokan clubs present at the event were JKA Auckland, JKA Pakuranga, JKA Kenshinkan (St. thomas), Devonport Shotokan, Budo Shotokan, JKS North Shore, SKIF, West City, JKA Browns Bay, Red Scorpion & JKA Australia.
Noriaki Nakazawa from JKA Pakuranga won both the Men's Kata & Kumite titles. The Women's titles were secured by Tracy Goddard of SKIF.
There was also a lot of young talent on display in the Boy's & Girl's categories which is a great sign for the future of shotokan Karate in New Zealand.
RESULTS SUMMARY..............click here.
2010 JKA International Joint Training Camp (Spring), Sohonbu Tokyo Japan
15th Apr - 18th Apr 2010The spring camp in Tokyo attracted over 300 participants from all across the globe. The weather in Tokyo was rather cold and it snowed in Tokyo which is rare for this time of the year.
The opening ceremony was special, with the formal announcement of Masaaki Ueki Senseis appointment as the "Shusheki Shihan" (Chief Instructor) of the JKA.
Masahiko Tanaka Sensei and Yoshiharu Osaka Sensei were appointed as the Deputy Chief Instructors.
New Zealand, was represented by Sensei Zel Unkovich and Sensei Karl Naoroji along with their respective students Briar Fleming and Neil Reaney.
Qualification Examinations attempted and passed from New Zealand :-
Sensei Karl Naoroji - Instructor B ; Examiner C ; Judge B (previous year)
Sensei Zel Unkovich - Instructor C ; Examiner C ; Judge C
Neil Reaney - Instructor D
Briar Fleming - Instructor DWith Sensei Ueki now in the helm, there was a lot of emphasis put in perfecting basics and practicing katas.
Brief Schedule of katas taught :-
Day 1 : 1st seminar - Kihon & Kumite / 2nd seminar - Bassai-dai & Kanku-dai
Day 2 : 3rd seminar - Bassai-sho & Kanku-sho / 4th seminar - Meikyo & Chinte
Day 3 : 5th seminar - Kata Training for Examinee / 6th seminar - Kumite
Day 4 : 7th seminar - Gojushiho-dai & NijushihoLooking forward to the next Camp in Oct 2010.
2009 JKA Instructor, Sensei Tatsuya Naka, 6th Dan Black belt visits New Zealand
26th Nov - 29th Nov
Japan Karate Association headquarters in Tokyo have appointed Sensei Tatsuya Naka, 6th Dan to travel to Auckland, New Zealand in official capacity to conduct
a 4 day karate seminar starting Thursday, 26th Nov to Sunday 29th Nov 2009.Sensei Naka is not only a dynamic JKA personality but also a well known International celebrity having played a leading role as Taikan, in Shunichi Nagasaki’s karate movie show “Kuro-Obi”.
JKA Pakuranga Karate Club & JKA Auckland World Federation is co-hosting this event and the invitation is open to all JKA and other Shotokan clubs.
Please come along and share this magnificent training experience with Naka Sensei.
2009 JKA Autumn Joint Training Camp
8th Oct to 11th OctThis year’s autumn joint training camp in Tokyo was attended by a four member team from New Zealand, Sensei Karl Naoroji from JKA Pakuranga, Sensei Zel Unkovich and his two students Nick & Jp from JKA Auckland World Federation.
The camp duration was for 4 days at the JKA Honbu Dojo. All training sessions were over seen by senior masters Ueki, Tanaka, Osaka who were ably complimented by other honbu instructors.
The morning session, day 1 comprised of Basic kihon, jiyu kihon and jiyu kumite followed in the afternoon by Kata. Four of the Sentei Kata Bassai Dai, Jion, Kanku Dai and Enpi were taught covering the fundamentals & bunkai.
On Day 2, Katas Goju shi ho sho, Goju shi ho Dai, Unsu and Gankaku were taught in fine detail.
Day 3 morning session, participants were subjected to practical training for centre judge and corner judge. Explanations were given for those who had difficulties or queries on various issues.
Afternoon session was Kumite with emphasis on reaction training and counter strategy.JKA HQ hosted a party that evening for all overseas and local Japanese participants.
On Day 4, Kata Souchin, Meikyo and Tekki San Dan were taught.
There was also dan grading ; written & practical examinations for Referees, examiners & instructors qualification conducted simultaneously on the fourth floor.
That afternoon was a momentous occasion for New Zealand karate.
Sensei Zel Unkovich passed "D class" for Instructor, Examiner & Judges qualification.
Sensei Karl Naoroji passed the Judges "B Class" & Instructor "C Class" qualification exam.
Sensei Zel also was successful in passing "Yon Dan", fantastic !
According to many this years gasshuku was by far one of the best attended.
We all come away with fond memories and look forward to returning in April for yet another unique experience.
