OKINAWAN KOBUDO

Okinawan Kobudo is a  weapon-based martial art developed in Okinawa. Students begin by learning skills with the Rokushakubo (staff) and Nunchaku (flail). Other weapons, such as the Tonfa (right angled baton), and Kama (sickle) are taught as students progress. This is a very traditional martial art and often students of karate or other martial arts train in kobudo to supplement their knowledge and skills base.  On reaching dan grade, students then consolidate and develop  their existing skills and knowledge and compliment their training by acquiring skills in one or more other weapons determined by Sensei O'Connor.

At Kaizen there is a fully structured Kobudo syllabus.  This syllabus is that of the International Okinawan Kobudo Association,  United Kingdom (IOKA UK), led by Sensei Albie O'Connor.  Sensei O'Connor is a 4th Dan in Okinawan Kobudo and has trained and graded in Okinawa and Japan. All Okinawan Kobudo gradings are subject to quality assurance by Sensei O'Connor and all certificates are issued by IOKA UK.  Training in this martial art is delivered on Sunday and Monday evening at our West Leeds Dojo and on Tuesday and Friday evening at our East Leeds Dojo. 

Gradings and Seminar with Sensei Albie O'Connor

On Saturday 6 October 2007 Sensei Albie O'Connor took time out from his very busy schedule to carry out a Dan Grading and deliver a seminar. The grading took place during the morning.  In the afternoon seminar Sensei O'Connor focussed on pain compliance techniques using a range of martial arts weapons. He taught a short kata using schuchu and spent time exploring some of the finer tonfa and sai kata techniques.

As always with Sensei O'Connor his dry humour had many of us 'rolling in  the aisles'.  Once again Jeff Watkins was kind (!) enough to take on the non-envious task of being on the receiving end of Sensei's demonstrations.

Sensei O'Connor also expressed many congratulations to the students who achieved rank progression during August, September and October 2007.  He took the opportunity to hand out certificates to those who were there at the seminar.

 Many congratulations to the following who achieved rank progression in December 2007 and January 2008

Congratulations to the following who achieved rank progression in April and May 2008