RichardHangHong

There are 2 Meijin companies as far as I can see. But they look the same. One is in Sheperds Bush, London, the other is in the US I think. The name logo looks the same though. Are they different or one and the same but run by different people?

If you look at the badge of GKR they have put a hyphen between each word (Go-Kan-Ryu). Sounds pointless don't you think? But when you investigate a little into the translation it's been put there to split the words. GO-KAN-RYU = Hard Complete School However, take out the first hyphen and you get: GOKAN RYU = RAPE SCHOOL Interesting eh? I wonder if Big Bob knew that when he created his McDojo.

Nidan - Seitou Ryu Karate (Goju Ryu/Shotokan mixed style) Also training seperately in Goju Ryu, Shotokan, and Yoku Do Karate styles but I do not hold individual ranks in these styles. Ikkyu - Kikai Seitei Iaido

I really like Seiunchin. But you're right, it's a killer on the legs and gleuts too!

We have 1 kata per grade up to 2nd kyu, then 2 katas per grade from 1st kyu onwards. 8th kyu - Taigyoku Shodan 7th Kyu - Taigyoku Nidan 6th Kyu - Saifa 5th Kyu - Gekisai Dai-Ichi 4th Kyu - Bassai Dai 3rd Kyu - Sanseru 2nd Kyu - Seiunchin 1st Kyu - Hangetsu & Tensho Shodan ho & 1st Dan - Empi & Sepai So 11 katas in all up to black belt

I started training in GKR back in 1997 when they first came into the UK. I trained with them up until 2000 when there was a political split due to the cheif instructor getting greedy and all the top people from the UK left to form Kenshukai. GKR were actually pretty good up to that point. But after the split, the standard rocketed downwards. The number of black belts tripled, students were given gradings as an incentive to stay with them. I even got a phone call from Bob Sullivan asking me to come back to train. What's funny is that my original instructor, Rod Martin was the first full time person who got GKR spreading across Australia. He started Sydney Region 1 and built it into one of the biggest areas before coming to start things in the UK. It's funny that if you go onto the GKR website they talk about how some other guy went over and started Sydney Region 2 and got GKR booming. Where's the mention of Region 1 eh? When anyone asks they keep it all hush-hush. IMHO, I don't have a problem with GKR's recruiting methods, there are many other clubs out there that have started doing the same thing. What I disagree with is GKR's ethics and morals. I've had several of my students and instructors from other clubs also tell me that a GKR rep knocked on their door, and when they said they already do karate, they insult the style saying they're not qualified or insured, or that the style is no good and they should train with GKR because they're a "proper" club. I even had a few comments made about me personally! It's really sad because these reps don't know any better and they're just doing what they have been taught. I think I've ranted enough now, I only meant for this to be a quick reply. Anyway, in short, I don't like GKR, crap standard and even worse morals and ethics. Regards, Richard Gregory

I'm currently learning the okinawan goju ryu versions of Saifa, Seiunchin and Shisochin along with the JKA version of Bassai-Dai. It's not too difficult as I have learned the patterns already from my old club (a mixture of Shotokan and Goju Ryu) so its just a case of adapting to the new versions.