From Russia with Love I was invited in Moscow for 9 days and this was to be the first time for 5 years, I conducted a four day Gasshuku and some private training with the instructors that are responsible for IOGKF Russian Federation. To my surprise there were some old faces who trained with me in the 90's it was such a pleasure to see them still training. The training was held in a recently renovated dojo which had excellent facilities one could even feel like you were in Japan, with the fragrance of burning incense and music that flavoured the oriental mood with tranquility. I counted about 82 people which filled the dojo to its capacity, with the lack of visiting instructors in the last 3 years their desire for knowledge and standardisation in the IOGKF curriculum was met and much more. They were so happy with the training they received and they invited me back in November and appointed me as Technical Adviser to the Russian Federation. I was honoured and accepted the post, the feedback received was, we feel safe and there is a future. I was also invited to demonstrate and give an interview with the Russian Federation's most popular martial arts television station which lasted an hour and will be shown on Russian Television in the future. I think for all people it will be interesting because there is no 'beating about the bush', only reality and an insight to my history in Karate Do. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people that have faith in me, and I will continue to support and develop IOGKF Karate Do in the Russian Federation. George Andrews |