Gasshuku Lebork, Poland, Jan 2018

​Since 2002 I have conducted about 50 Gasshuku, from Slupsk, Wrocław, Lebork, Wicko, Bydgoszcz, Piotrków Trybunalski,Radom, it has always been a pleasure.

As to this trip I was met by Sensei Marion and Andrzej on Wednesday and after a good night’s sleep and breakfast on Thursday morning it was time for private training with Sensei Marion. The training was in preparation for his up and coming examination so the concentration was on Sesan Kata and Bunkai over and over again and the same on Friday morning.

The Gasshuku started Friday evening in Wicko, then on Saturday in Lebork.  Training started with the Children for the first hour and then the Adults for 4 hours.  The Gasshuku was opened by the Mayor of Lebork and I was honoured for the 50th year in Karate – Do and presented with a Plaque and a medal with a Diploma.

Sunday morning Sensei Adam Litwinski took the warm up with all the Adults and after the Children’s class had finished, the training was only Kata and Bunkai from Geki Sai Dai Ichi to Sesan, everyone was very happy to cover all the Kata and shown all of the Bunkai.

Then for the next 2 hours it was time for 2 candidates to show their proficiency, Sensei Marion Czylkowski and Mateusz Jedrzejczy. Kihon, Kata Bunkai,Yakasoku Kumite, Impact work and of course 100 push ups, sit ups and star jumps.  I’m glad to say that they were both successful in their attempts, Godan Pass and Shodan Pass.

I also gave private training to Senseis Adam and Marion together, focussing on Sesan Kata and Bunkai, in addition Sensei Pawel Iwaszkiiewicz concentrating on Kururunfa Kata and Bunkai.

I look forward to seeing you all again in October, my special thanks to Monika & Andrzej Markowski for taking care of me.

George Andrews