The Japan Karate Association, JKA has launched the fourth technical seminar and Dan grading in Rwanda. The seminar is conducted by Kamino Masaru Sensei, the 8th Dan holder.
Friday, September 16, 2022, at Notre Dame des Anges Primary school, a karate seminar to raise the local instructor’s level was launched and attracted around 120 individuals.
The JKA technical seminar will enhance the local masters’ skills of classic karate, a modern teaching method of Shotokan style, and also It is expected to increase the needed skills that will improve the quality of Karate in Rwanda.
To open the seminar, Guy Didier Rurangayire, the chairman and chief instructor at JKA-Rwanda, backed this seminar to focus on the general knowledge of karate, reshuffling, and imparting technical skills, and then evaluation of trainees.
Due to the pandemic that halted almost all events, this seminar also did not take place in 2020 and 2021. However, Rurangayire confidently said that the event will be organized every year.
He said ”Due to the pandemic, it was not possible to organize the seminar in the last two years. However, today, we are hosting the fourth edition and we believe that it will be organized on annual basis from today”
In her speech, Yukako Ochi, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Rwanda highlighted the role of Karate in building a good relationship between Japan and Africa particularly Rwanda.
She added, “Japan has been using the world partnership to express our stand on what we want to build between Japan and Africa.”
Mrs. Ochi continued: “Thanks a lot for Karatekas’ hard work here in Rwanda, Karate has been gaining much respect from all the corners of the country and has attracted a lot of Rwandans for several decades. “
“I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Sensei Kamino and other Senior Senseis here today for their good dedication. At the same time, I would like to mention that Sensei Guy [Rurangayire] was awarded ambassador commendation for his contribution to our relations last July when we celebrated the 60th anniversary of relations between Japan and Rwanda” said Mrs. Yukako Ochi
Sensei Kamino, 8th Dan, is one of the 7 members of the technical committee of the Shihankai commission of the Japan Karate Association.
He heads a group of Japanese experts, namely: Kamino Takahiro (his son and 6th Dan holder), Haraguchi Shosuke (5th Dan), Ogusu Koichi (6th Dan), Dr. Nakamishi Koji (Wado 2nd Dan), and Dr. Harano Kazuyoshi (5th Dan) who will be conducting the seminar.
The JKA seminar is taking place at Remera, in Notre Dame des Anges Primary school gymnasium, from September 15-20, 2022. It is aimed to build capacity for local instructors and promote them in the Dan ranking system.
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