THE global chief instructor of a karate discipline is visiting Dunfermline this weekend as part of a three-day event.
From Friday to Sunday, Dunfermline High School will host a Gashuku - training - occasion held by the Scottish Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Association.
Goju-Ryu, which translates from Japanese as “hard-soft style”, is one of the four original karate disciplines and combines hard, striking attacks such as kicks and close hand punches with softer, open hand circular techniques for attacking, blocking and controlling the opponent, including locks, grappling, take-downs and throws.
The IOGKF (International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do Federation) world chief instructor, Tetsuji Nakamura Sensei, Eighth Dan, will be amongst those sharing their expertise, alongside the likes of vice world chief instructor, Sensei Ernie Molyneux, Ninth Dan, and Sensei Linda Marchant, the highest graded female, at Eighth Dan.
The Scottish Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Association have dojos in Carnock and High Valleyfield, where the principal instructor is Sensei Stevie Biggar, Fifth Dan, and in Kelty.
"It's really exciting," he said.
"We hold these every year. It's a chance to invite international instructors to Scotland, and a for people to train with one of the top instructors in the world. It's a win-win for a karate person.
"It's open to anybody who wants to come along. Our ethos is improve yourself, rather than compare yourself to others.
"It's predominantly self defence, and about improving yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually.
"It's not a competitive style. Goju-Ryu is one of the first four original styles and has been recognised for hundreds of years.
"It's the biggest single karate federation in the world. In Scotland, we have a very small association, of around 120-130 people, but everyone is of the same mindset."
The event takes place on Friday, from 6-8pm, and from 9am-2pm on Saturday and Sunday.
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