End of article about First I.O.G.K.F. seminar in USSR (May 1991) conducted by Morio Higaonna Sensei
Text is taken from «IOGKF International News» #25 (June 1991)
Gasshuku participants at Alma-Ata sports stadium
...
Valery then performed the kata bunkai kumite. Again Valery Karpov together with Andre ter Veer and
Teun Meeuwesse performed Shisochin kata followed by Sepai which was performed by Harry de Spa.
Harry de Spa also performed Sanchin kata while Higaonna Sensei demonstrated shime ("testing") and explained
the meaning and benefits of Sanchin training. The public was completely spellbound when Higaonna Sensei
demonstrated the master kata Suparinpei for which he received a standing ovation. Following this, Sensei
demonstrated yakusoku kumite with Andre ter Veer and kakie with Harry de Spa while explaining the many
close combat possibilities of Goju-Ryu karate. Again, all those present showed great enthusiasm.
To finish, Andre and Jastalap demonstrated shobu-ippon kumite, and Andre and Teun demonstrated iri-kumi
while Harry de Spa refereed both matches. After this TV covered demonstration the public was intrigued
with Higaonna Sensei's Goju-Ryu and there were many questions, interviews and requests for signatures
etc. As a result we did not arrive back at our hotel until late in the evening. The following day a
film camera team came and asked Sensei if it would be possible to make a cinema documentary of Sensei's
visit and teachings in Kazakhstan. So again numerous demonstrations and interviews were given by Sensei.
The final two days of the seminar were reserved for the Dan/Kyu grading. All candidates performed
Goju-Ryu to the best of their ability. Many kyu grades from 9th kyu to 1st kyu were awarded and also
the first eight IOGKF shodans in the Soviet Union were given. This was an historic moment for both
karate in the Soviet Union and for the IOGKF.
On the final day, Saturday May 11,1991, Sensei announced the results of the grading and in the evening
there was a sayonara party in the hotel where Sensei and his Dutch assistants were staying. The day after,
some seniors accompanied us to the airport and Alexander Gendrikson accompanied us all the way to
Moscow. Sensei declared that he was very satisfied with the people that he had met in the Soviet
Union. There were many kind and hospitable people from many different ethnic backgrounds who had
invited him and us into their homes. As a result, we had some nice Russian, Kazakh and Korean dishes
and enjoyed these people's warm friendship and hospitality. As far as karate was concerned, Sensei
was pleased with the Soviets' flexibility, stamina and fighting spirit and he foresees a great future
for Okinawan Goju-Ryu in the Soviet Union. It was decided that the third IOGKF Gasshuku USSR will
take place in the town of Odessa in the republic of Ukraine, probably towards the end of September
or the beginning of October.
Also a delegation from the newly formed Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Association USSR intends to
participate in the 1st IOGKF World Championships in Naha, Okinawa this year.
When Sensei arrived in Moscow he was met by the official Union president Mr. Yuri Alexseenko who had
returned specially a day early from the Open Danish Championships in order to be able to meet Sensei
at the airport. Mr. Yuri Alexseenko showed much interest in the outcome of this Gasshuku and the
progress which was made during this the second seminar and he thanked Higaonna Sensei for his efforts
to promote true karate in the Soviet Union. Also, Mr. Alexseenko hopes that despite his busy schedule
he will be able to attend the IOGKF World Championships in Okinawa this year.
After spending one night in Moscow and another night in Nijmegen (Netherlands) the true
representative of traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu flew back home to the USA where, after one day of
rest at home, Texas is waiting for Sensei's teaching again.
For Andre, Teun and myself it was a great honor and tremendous opportunity for us to accompany Sensei
to the USSR and to assist him during his teachings. Sensei's first Soviet Union mission had come to
an end.
This report was written by Sensei Harry de Spa.
