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11th October 2006

Kengokai Dojo fares well at International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Shiai

Two members of the Kengokai Dojo participated in the Australian team competing in the 20th Anniversary Shorinjiryu Shinzen Shiai, held in New York, USA on 8 October 2006.

Although small, the Australian team was very successful.

From the Kengokai Dojo, Sensei Mark Zaglas received 1st Place in the Adult Black Belt Weapons division, with his outstanding performance of the jo kata Ufuchiku no Jo. Tashi Des Paroz received a 2nd Place in the Adult Black Belt Over 35 Years Kata and a 3rd Place in the Adult Black Belt Over 35 Years Weapons division.

Sensei Jason Romer of the Shishikai Dojo received a 3rd Place in the Adult Black Over 35 Years Kata, and a 4th Place in the Adult Black Belt Over 35 Years Koshiki Divisions.

Congratulations Sensei Mark and Sensei Jason.

14th November 2005

National Koshiki Championships - 13 November 2005

Over the weekend Belinda and I travelled up to Tamworth. The National Championships of the Australian Koshiki Association were being held, along with several meetings and seminars.

A bunch of Shorinjiryu people were in attendance. Renshi Jim and Tashi Lesley Griffin travelled down from Brisbane, as did Renshi Max Estens and Tashi Graeme Bowden from Coonabarabran. The five of us participated as Referees and Judges. Also present as competitors were Sensei Tony Fletcher (who was also a judge), Sensei Jason Romer, Sensei Trevor Casini, Sempai Amanda Bugden and Sempai Dean McKernan. A number of other students participated, I will post a full list and some results later on.

It was a good day, very well organised by Sensei Clint Chaffey and his Shorikan Karate group in Tamworth. Overall the spirit of competition and friendship among all competitors was high. Congratulations to the organisers, competitors and officials who participated.

18th October 2004

Shorinjiryu Shinzen Shiai 2004

Renshi Jim Griffin (Seiryukan Dojo) and Sensei Des Paroz (Kengokai) both travelled to New York for the 18th International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Shiai. Organised by Kyoshi Myron Lubitsch, President of the Shorinjiryu Shinzen Shiai and Head of Shorinjiryu Kenryukan Karate, this years event marked the 40th anniversary of Shorinjiryu Karate in North America, and probably outside Japan.

Renshi Jim attended as a representative of Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo and to act as a senior referee, whilst I attended as to compete, offficate and also to meet (and in a handful of cases meet again) with many of the main players in contemporary Shorinjiryu.

On the day, many high recognitions were awarded, recognising the years of dedication to Shorinjiryu of many senior players. These included:

Hanshi Shunji Watanabe, head of Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Karate and a direct student of Kaiso Kori Hisataka, was named as Honorary Technical Adviser to the Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai (SSK)
Sensei Page Christis and Sensei Larry Dammons (both of Shorinjiryu Kenyukai) were honoured with 6th Dan and 5th Dan recognition, respectively, by the SSK
Shihan Dan Hayes of Shorinjiryu Kenkokai, Vice President of the SSK and Hanshi Watanabe’s leading student, was promoted to 7th Dan
Renshi Vincent Capers, Jr, Renshi Troy Lester, Renshi Carlos Figueroa (all of Shorinjiryu Kenryukan) and Renshi Atul Joshi (Shorinjiryu Kenryukan India) were promoted to 6th Dan
Renshi Al Gonzalez (Shorinjiryu Kenryukan) was promoted to 5th Dan

A number of Shodan, Nidan and Sandan grades were also awarded.

The tournament was one of the most well run and unbiased events I have witnessed. 10 rings were coordinated well, so each ring moved quickly through the dozens of events covering all age groups and grade levels.

If you get the chance in the future, make sure you attend a Shorinjiryu Shinzen Shiai - it is an awesome experience to participate with around 300 competitors and officials who all come from a Shorinjiryu lineage. The Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai is certainly bringing together the various schools that represent our style.

Renshi Jim Griffin, Kyoshi Myron Lubitsch (Shorinjiryu Kenryukan Karate) and Sensei Des Paroz

Sensei Des Paroz, Renshi Jim Griffin, Hanshi Shunji Watanabe (Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Karate) and Shihan Dan Hayes (Shorinjiryu Kenyukai - Island Budokan)

Renshi Jim Griffin, Kyoshi Michel Laurin (Shorinjiryu Shindo Budo Kai) and Sensei Des Paroz

Renshi Jim Griffin, Renshi Pete Hiltz (Ake no Myojo Budo) and Sensei Des Paroz