SHIDOIN KEIKO OSAME 2021 at the JKA-Shotokan Karate Institute’s Honbu Dojo

The Kumite session was conducted by Pradeep Sharma Sensei that covered exercising Yori-ashi, Yori-ashi Kizami Zuki, Yori-ashi Gyaku Zuki, Yori-ashi Kizami Zuki – Gyaku Zuki; Mae Geri and land back without shifting the body center and as soon as the kicking leg lands back he expected all to shoot for a long-range Mae geri and land forward. To make a long-range Mae Geri Sensei added it’s better to sink (push forward) the front knee which is the knee of the supporting leg and kick with the rear leg. Sensei then made all practice Mae geri Jun Zuki followed by Mae Geri Jun Zuki & Gyaku Zuki. The next combination was his favourite combination of Yori-ashi Kizami Zuki Gyaku Zuki step-in Gyaku Zuki and Jun Zuki and Gyaku Zuki. Pradeep Sensei ended the session with 400 Gyaku Zuki, 200 each hand nonstop. The whole lot then did 20 push-ups on their knuckles and Pradeep Sensei called off the session for 30 mins. The session was extremely intense and the shidoin were at the edge of their limit.

The Kata Session was on Kata Unsu taken by Somnath Palchowdhury Sensei, a highly detailed & enriching session as always expected from him. Somnath Sensei started with drills on the correct course of bringing both the hands together in front of the chest, gradually lifting to the chin level and pushing both palms outwards straightening the elbows. The formation of correct chicken-head wrist block was taught and the course of striking downward with one-finger strike. Tate Shuto Uke in Fudo Dachi followed by Gyaku Zuki in Zenkutsu Dachi was practiced many times at left and then right side by turning (mawatte) and then in four directions. Emphasized was placed in generating power and speed in Gyaku Zuki from thrusting the rear foot on the floor while changing stance from Fudo Dachi to Zenkutsu Dachi. Deep study and practice were done to adopt the correct course body dropping at 45 degrees to the front and executing Mawashi Geri from the floor at the front (centre) direction. Ridge hand strike, Mae Geri, Jodan Soto Uke and Gyaku Zuki were then practiced many times coordinating Hiki-ashi, turn and Jodan Soto Uke timing and then Gyaku Zuki the moment you land for Zenkutsu Dachi. The Kata was then practiced a few times up to figure number 29.

Both these sessions were attended online by one of the senior-most veteran karateka of our country Anil Sinha Sensei who from now on will chair the Technical Committee of the JKAWF INDIA organization. The association instructors that attended the last instructors’ training of the year on the day were highly inspired by his presence, watching Sensei Sinha training nonstop at the age of 69 years, and benefited from the tips shared by him.

The JKAWF INDIA SHIDOIN KEIKO HAJIME 2022 is announced to be held on Monday 17th January 2022 at JKA Traditional Shotokan Karate Club, New Barrackpore, WB to be hosted by Arindam Sikdar Sensei.