Place: Horten, Norway
Organizer: Norway Branch (Horten Karate Club, Branch Chief Ole Thomassen Grejs)
The Norwegian Winter camp gathered 80 highly motivated participant from all over Norway, ready to receive the excellent learning from Kumiko Sunakawa Shihan and Mitsuhiro Izumi Sensei, Tokyo Ochanomizu Branch, Japan. Organizer Horten Karate Club supported strongly in all ways. All supported and supervised by BC Ole Thomassen Grejs, who also participated in training.
There is a strong bond between Norway and Japan, linked to Sunakawa and her branch. This in not done in one day, but through many years of presence over time. The first time Sunakawa was in Norway was in 2010, and since then there have been many visits – and with a more frequent frequency. Together with Mitsuhiro Izumi, they have shared their knowledge within Full Contact Karate.
The Winter Camp program contained all aspect of Shinkyokushinkai Karate. Sunakawa Shihan and Izumi Sensei, with their knowledge and unique way of conveying Karate, participants gained new knowledge that lifted them forward. This in physical effect but also in raising the understanding itself.
Kihon, Ido Geiko, Kata and Kumite are all connected. However, you can always improve on this process. Through the weekend’s sessions, participants received very good training and examples of how everything is connected. Several times we experienced that when you focused on principles in Kihon – you solved challenges in Kumite, Kata etc. and vice versa.
A good reminder of when you went to higher Kata, such as Seienchin – where the solutions to getting better lie in the basic techniques of the lower grades. Separated in two groups, Brown and black belts received higher level of Ido Geiko and Kata. Since this group also had many instructors, tools given and examples showed to bring home the each Dojo represented.
The connection to Japan, the land of Karate is important for Norway. One can happily see that the interest in Karate and Japan is increasing. Proof of this was during the closing of this year’s winter camp. All participants said in unison “will you come to Norway again?” Said in Japanese from the whole group!
Pictures by organizer Horten Karate club:
1.Sunakawa Shihan instructing key elements
2.Izumi Sensei with participants, lower grades
3.Camp photo line up
4.From left: M. Gregusson, Izumi, Grejs, Sunakawa, Brodshaug and Haukedalen
5.Izumi Sensei with participants, higher grades. (President Norwegian org S.O. Bennæs)
6.Izumi Sensei teaching
7.Group training
8.Camp photo
9.BC Ole T. Grejs sparring with Marleen Gregusson