Chief Instructor of TSKF, Takahashi Shihan, Deputy Chief Instructor Mark Willis Sensei and Chairman TSKFA, John Russo Sensei recently returned from attending the ISKF Masters Camp in Philadelphia, USA, which was attended by approx. 500 karateka from all over the world. The Camp consisted of training sessions conducted by Masters Teruyuki Okazaki - 10th Dan ISKF (US), Yutaka Yaguchi - 9th Dan ISKF (US), and Masaru Miura - 9th Dan SKI-I (Italy), Takahashi Shihan – 8th Dan (Japan) and other ISKF Instructors.

Each day commenced at 6.30am with bow on, on the tennis courts, followed by a run, then 2-3 training sessions per day, and a series of informative lectures each evening. TSKF attendees were very much welcomed, by not only the organizers, but by all participants. They took the opportunity to have a meeting with Masters Okazaki and Yaguchi and their administrators, regarding TSKF becoming an associate member with ISKF, which would enable us to compete in their events in the future. During the meeting Russo Sensei took the opportunity to explain TSKF’s recent history of how we came to be, which is similar to the ISKF history of inception. The meeting went exceptionally well, and TSKF are now awaiting confirmation from their Technical Committee regarding their request. TSKFA and TSKFNZ were also invited to attend their World Meeting, which was run in a very democratic fashion.

There were numerous approaches from karateka attending commenting on the fact that of how very fortunate our Association is to have an instructor of the calibre of Takahashi Shihan, and also amazement that he continues to visit each Dojo twice yearly, in both Australia and New Zealand, the same as he has for the past 37 years.

TSKFA had approaches from individuals who will be relocating to Australia within the next 12 months, who have enquired about starting Dojos within the Association. Discussions were also undertaken with the Philippines team manager, who would like to bring a team to the TSKFA Nationals in Hobart, 2011.

Two things that were highlighted from this camp, were that the TSKF organization is in a fantastic position, with many opportunities becoming available as time progresses, which TSKF, as it’s own entity, can assess and choose free of restrictions of any overarching body and that members of our organization can train and learn a great deal from other traditional like-minded karate groups.

Takahashi Shihan and Senseis Willis and Russo would like to sincerely thank the ISKF Organization for welcoming them to their event, sharing their knowledge and for extending the hand of friendship to them.