JKA-SKC Australasia was honoured to welcome a distinguished delegation from JKA Headquarters for an exceptional series of seminars across Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney.

Featuring world-renowned instructors: Ogura Yasunori Shihan (JKA Vice Chief Instructor), Okuma Koichiro Shihan, and Kurihara Hidemoto Sensei, each bringing their decades of technical mastery and teaching excellence.

The seminars drew karateka from across Australia of all different styles, offering a rare and invaluable opportunity to train under senior JKA instructors. Participants engaged in comprehensive sessions covering kihon, kata, and kumite, with particular focus on deepening understanding of Shotokan fundamentals and refining Heian and advanced kata.

It is always an invaluable experience to watch and learn from Ogura Shihan, who’s technique and precision is impeccable, as well as from Okuma Shihan who captivates everyone’s attention with his brilliant explanations and demonstrations. This year we were lucky enough to witness Kurihara Sensei’s dynamic demonstrations of technique. He was inspiring to say the least for both junior and senior grades.

Congratulations to four JKA-SKC seniors who successfully passed their Rokudan examination: Paul Tsangaris, Rena Moriguchi, Lucas Gosling and Jerry Hastings.

Our 2025 seminar was a resounding success, not only for the technical instruction provided but also for the spirit of camaraderie and dedication it fostered among all attendees. The presence of Ogura Shihan, Okuma Shihan, and Kurihara Sensei left a lasting impression and reaffirmed the strength and unity of the JKA community in Australia.

Our recent seminar on the 12th and 13th of April featured JKA Vice Chief Instructor Imamura Tomio Shihan and JKA Headquarters Instructor Okuma Koichiro Shihan.

It was a special seminar as it was one of the very few times that Imamura Shihan has been to Australia to teach and share his remarkabe karate history and knowledge. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to learn from Imamura and Okuma Shihan's intelligence and creativity and look forward to continued growth and success together.

On the 16th and 17th of June we hosted JKA Vice Chief Instructor Ogura Yasunori Shihan and JKA Headquarters Instructors Naka Tatsuya Shihan and Okuma Koichiro Shihan.

It was an exceptional event that brought together karate-ka from various backgrounds, provided learning opportunities and inspired participants to reach new heights in their karate journey.

Ogura, Naka and Okuma Shihans shared their unparalleled expertise and knowledge; covering fundamental Kihon techniques, technical Kata points and opened our eyes to new Kumite ideas.

Every participant who attended the seminar had a great attitude and desire to learn from the best. This is what made for an enjoyable and successful training experience! There is no doubt memories, stories and friendships were made, to be remembered for a lifetime. The seminar fostered a strong sense of camaraderie and community, bringing together karate-ka who hadn’t been together since before Covid.

 In true Melbourne fashion, we had some beautiful Winter sunshine that quickly turned cold and windy, but this didn’t stop karate-ka of all ages and levels from travelling from all States of Australia.

There is no doubt the demonstrations and instruction from all three esteemed instructors served as a source of inspiration, motivating us to strive for excellence in our own practice.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ogura Shihan, Naka Shihan and Okuma Shihan for providing insights and enhancing our karate skills.

An incredible milestone was celebrated on the Saturday afternoon, in front of all participants and spectators; our JKA-SKC Chief Instructor, Keith Geyer was presented with his Hachi-Dan (8th-Dan) certificate, sanctioned by Ueki Shuseki Shihan and the JKA Shihankai.

 This was a truly special and memorable moment for all present as Keith Sensei was honoured for his unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the art of karate. It was a beautiful celebration of Keith Sensei’s positive influence and continuous development of JKA karate around the world.