The training was held in Malaga, the temperature was 35-37°C, one day it was 40°C and with no air conditioning at the venue. The venue was 15 minutes by taxi from our hotel, it was quite a big Sports Stadium with an array of active sports available for Children and Adults alike. After all the greetings, we were called to line up, I counted about 300 people which was down on previous Gasshuku, as this was due to the Master being absent, there are normally 500 – 700 people that attend this annual event. As to training every morning for one hour 3rd – 8th dans trained under Sensei Bakkies and I must add the training was informative by breaking down each Kata move by move. The general training was started by Sensei Nakamura, and then it was split into groups, the most senior instructors would share their knowledge with each group for an hour, when training had finished we would make our way back to the hotel to a small but welcoming swimming pool, and then bask in the Sun, and yes replenish our thirst with a cool beer. In the evening we would meet in the lobby, and walk the short distance to some fine restaurants in the back streets of the town, and my favorite food is Fish and Sea Food, the Sea food platter consisted Calamari, Squid, Prawns, Sardines and Fish in abundance, and sometimes we were entertained with local musicians. My Special thanks to Sensei Luis and his Staff for a great job, and not forgetting Martin and Louise for arranging my accommodation and Gasshuku. George Andrews Seminar on street fighting techniques. Sensei George Andrews, Moscow 1994. This is the 9th year that I have conducted a Gasshuku in Paradise. After the tragic death of Sensei Geoff Pickup, I promised his wife Ahel that I would keep his legacy going and support her.
Renzoku translates into English as consecutive, continuity, serial. Bunkai is used in the martial arts to describe the application of techniques found within the traditional kata. Renzoku bunkai is therefore simply a series of applied techniques, practiced in a continuous manner. Within the IOGKF, it commonly relates to a specific two person drill in which the kata Gekisai Dai Ichi is performed in a straight line by the ukete (defender) whilst a sequence of corresponding offensive and defensive techniques are executed by the semete (attacker). This drill is also known as Chokusen Gekisai Dai Ichi, literally meaning straight line Gekisai Dai Ichi.
The black belt grading in September 2013 was a special moment in my karate journey as I successfully passed to Sandan under the watchful eye of Sensei George Andrews. Alongside me that weekend was three of my students who were grading to 1st kyu. A lot has happened over the past year, including the move of the Honbu dojo to new premises in Peckham to make way for the demolition of the Institute of Traditional Karate-Do in the Heygate Estate.
I was going to drive to Wigan but after counting the cost and time factor, I decided to go by train. I can’t believe I even thought about driving up there, after only 1 hour 55 minutes I was getting off the train in Wigan.
This was a successful trip and one that will improve the communications between North and South of Poland; I met Sensei Adam Litwinski 4th Dan IOGKF, who is a senior instructor in Poland.
I went to Cape Town, South Africa, to celebrate with one of the best Karate practitioners I have had the privilege to be associated with; Sensei Bakkies, he is an inspiration to everyone.
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George AndrewsChief Instructor OTGKA Archives
February 2022
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