Culture and Education »Event Information
Event Information:
JOINT PRESS RELEASE : KARATEFIJI & EMBASSY OF JAPAN
Press Release No. : 1 /2013
Date: Friday, 11 January 2013
2 Japanese KARATE Coaches to Fiji : Mr. Shigeki Yamada & Mr. Kengo Yamada
2 Karate Instructors from Japan will be in Fiji for a month starting from mid-January 2013. Karate Fiji will be hosting Sensei Mr. Shigeki Yamada and Sensei Mr. Kengo Yamada, and will conduct a series of training sessions in Suva, Nausori, Nadi and Lautoka. Karate Seminars will also be held in Suva and Lautoka.
This is a project sponsored by Japan Foundation, and Karate Fiji has been coordinating with Embassy of Japan in Fiji for almost a year to materialize this project.
Sensei Mr. Shigeki Yamada is a Goju-ryu Karate-ka for more than 52 years, with extensive experience in training for 33 years in Japan as well as in many countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Poland, New Zealand, Czech Republic, etc. He is also the Executive Director of Kanagawa Karate Federation. His club was awarded for its excellence in 1991, in 1995, and in 2006.
Sensei Mr. Kengo Yamada is also a Goju-ryu Karate-ka for 26 years, and a trainer for 9 years. His achievements include the championship for 9 consecutive years in All Japan Karatedo Goju-ryu competition, as well as 5 championships in Goju-kai World competition.
On 17 January, the instructors will conduct their first training session, from 5pm to 7pm at the Yat Sen School Hall in Suva which is the venue for one of the Goju-Ryu clubs. During their 4-week stay, the instructors are also expected to conduct two seminars, one each in the Central and Western divisions where participants will be assessed on Goju-Ryu Karate-do techniques and Kata.
Karate Fiji is grateful for the assistance provided by the Japan Foundation and the Embassy of Japan in making this opportunity possible. Chief Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Instructor and Karate Fiji Technical Committee Chairman, Sensei Netani Koto says “To have not one, but two high-ranking and renowned instructors coming to Fiji is an opportunity that should be maximized to its fullest potential. I am thankful to the Japan Foundation, the Embassy of Japan and Karate Fiji for facilitating this opportunity and I encourage all Karate Fiji and Goju-Ryu Karate practitioners to participate in the scheduled training sessions which should prove to be a rewarding experience.”
Karate Fiji will announce the schedule of trainings and seminars by Yamada Senseis. For information about training sessions, please contact Ms. Angela Birch on telephone 9928057, or visit the official Karate Fiji website at www.karatefiji.com or email info@karatefiji.com. For more information about Yamada Senseis, or to arrange interview with Yamada Senseis, you can contact Ms. Mele Raturaga on telephone: 3304 633 email: eojculture@fj.mofa.go.jp .
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