Aikido Academy Officially Launched

Being one of the most recently martial art introduced in Kenya, aikido is definately here to stay. Aikido has been practised in Kenya since October 16th 2009 introduced by a Polish  Sensei Matteusz Wage who has since left the country. Being the branch of Birankai Poland, they follow the Birankai system.

For quite a while, the Embassy of Japan  has been and still hosts this Aikido group on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1700hrs to 1900hrs. Further details can be seen on their blog and their facebook page.

Another aikido group,the East Africa Aikido Aikikai, also practice in Nairobi,  and have recently opened an aikido academy, Sagana Aikido Academy which is an all-girl aikido group. More info can be found on their facebook page or the Sagana Aikido Academy facebook page.

Kenya Goju Kai Calender

Ok, I know its been a long time since the last post, does that mean that the martial art scene in Kenya has gone silent? Maybe..... maybe not. But...oh well....

The Kenya Goju Ryu Karate-do has released its time table for the year 2014-15 and yes every month there will be an event, so ladies and gentlemen get your Gis out, clean your shin guards and dust your belts and buckle-up for a busy year ahead.

DATE	EVENT	VENUE
15 – 16 Feb	National Goju Ryu Referees and Table Officials Cetification Seminar	Nairobi
8 – 9 March	National Individual Novices, Seniors and Veteran Championship	Nairobi
22 March	Annual General Meeting	Nairobi
18 – 21 April	Goju Ryu Karate-Do Training Camp (Gasshuku)	Kampala
17 May	Commemoration of Kaisho Gogen Yamagushi International Seminar-cum-Grading (By Grandmaster Saiko Shihan)	Nairobi
14 June	Inter-colleges Championships	Mombasa
12 July	Goju Ryu Karate-Do Welfare day	Nairobi
9 – 10 August	Black Belt Seminar (Gasshuku)	Nakuru
22 – 25 August	1st All Africa Goju Kai Karate Do Championships	Mauritius
20 September	Young Warriors Goju Ryu Karate-Do Championships	Nairobi
10 – 12  October	Commemoration of Goju Ryu Karate-Do Founder-  Chojun Miyagi	Moshi (TZ)
8 November	Inter Counties Goju Ryu Karate-Do Team Championships	Kisumu
5 – 7 December	International Training Camp	South Africa
20 December	Sayonara Party	Nairobi
17 January 2015	Goju Ryu Karate-Do Junior Cadet and Instructors Seminar	nyeri

Kenya Karate Veterans

On Monday (6/01/2014) Kenya's Standard Newspaper featured a story of Kaizer Karimbhai a veteran karateka who is still going strong despite clocking over 60 years. Kaizer godan (5th dan black belt), is one of the Karimbhai's whose family has been associated with karate for the last four decades or so. He has dedicated his life for the way since the 60's.

Perhaps what got me more excited is what he said about one of Kenya's great sensei

"Our efforts to promote karate were greatly assisted by the Japan government, which sent top-notch instructor Yashio Tamura as the chief national coach"

Kaizer Karimbhai continues

"Tamura made great contribution by training hundreds of local karatekas and also a national coach, Wallace Gachanja"

Now, any of Tamura's sensei student current or past should be proud  to hear of this and most definitely am honoured to be one of his students... oss!

Gojukai Team Perfomance

Well, the Goju Kai Karate-do team jetted back in the country a few weeks ago from Mumbai where they had attended the 6th Goju kai championships.

The top placed country on the continent was South Africa.
The team did all they could in the championships regardless of the preparations that were some how hurriedly done. Well next is Canada in 2017 so.....Let the preparations begin guys!

Naomi Kinyanjui scores with what seems to be a Gizami-zuki

Peter Ongeto face-to-face with a South African opponent

Maurice Aloo Sensei with part of the Juniors team and friends.

Ongeto Sempai with Brazilian friends

Selling through martial arts

I don't get the advert but am sure it's a great product for it uses martial arts :-D ....Aikido >>>click Here>>>

Kenya Karate-do Federation Calender

Meanwhile the KKF 2014 calender of events has been released. Quite an interesting debate is going on regarding the 'many events' in the calender, some claiming it will not be practical to have events every month.

The Chair of KKF Mr. Atemi however defended the calender saying the more the events the better for the sport.

"...I am already working on a schedule that will align Karate to the Kenya Football style where clubs and county teams compete from the grassroots to the national level" he added.

Events, dates and venues might change fro time to time...So keep it here.

Date	Event	Venue
15-16 February	National Instructors/Coaches  Course	Nairobi
15-16 March	Referees and judges Course	Nairobi
9-10 May	Kenya Open Individual Karate Championship	Nairobi
May	Zone 5 Seniors Karate Championships	T.B.A
13-14 June	Gashukku Training Camp	Thika
5 July	Female Individual Karate Champioship	Nakuru
August	UFAK Senior Karate Championship	T.B.A
13-14 September	Inter Counties Karate Championships	Mombasa
5-9 November	World Seniors Karate Championships	Bremen-Germany
14-15 November	National Clubs Championships	Busia/Kakamega

Karate-do Youth Olympics trials

While the Kenya Taekwondo Association will be holding their Youth Olympic trials on 21 Dec 2013, click here, The Kenya Karate-do Federation held theirs on the 14th Dec 2013 at the Utalii College. A total of six karatekas three boys and three girls, were selected.