Gotta Feel Bad for GKR Student

[Nidan Melbourne]

So I was just out for lunch before (Its 1:45 pm here currently) and saw a GKR demo outside my work. I wasn't overly impressed by it, with some very questionable kihon, kata and kumite.

Unfortunately during the kata section of the demo, they had 3 do a team performance of Unsu that they had apparently learnt from a 4th Dan Shotokan Instructor recently. They were doing well, UNTIL the jump and 1 of them face planted badly because when they landed they didn't resist properly and their face hit the ground hard!

I felt so bad for the guy cause he broke his nose, but credit to him he finished off the rest of the kata and demo. Everyone applauded the guy for continuing.

[Lupin1]

Shows that there are dedicated, spirited karateka to be found in every style.

[kensei]

I feel bad for the group of them, the whole system is set up for a fall. The head instructors don't know good Karate and if you ever watch them doing Kata or kumite they are basically not even Shodan level in any Karate org that has decent Karate. Now aside from Karate skills, which I see as lacking, the whole group of the leadership are incredible business people. Im not kidding. If we all had the business skills they have and the ideas (granted lack of morals in most cases) that they have then good Karate would be like 7/11 stores in the states!

[Hawkmoon]

Just spotted the connection!

NM?

GKR is big in your part of the world is it something you see lots of or was this demo just a right place right time thing?

Demos are great as well as ... um ... not so great all over the world, we must have all seen one or been 'the one' to share?

GKR tends to take a beating from time to time, but ... like Lupin says, and I do agree, there are some dedicated types, diamonds in the rough if you will that make this or that system more interesting.

His desire to keep going would have convinced some of the audience,and even had a few consider the club in a more serious light then before he ... crashed!

[Nidan Melbourne]

It was a shame he crashed, because they were doing really well in terms of the kata.

There are a few in the style that are really good yes, and they redeem the style to an extent.

When I watched their kihon, it was laughable because they had people off all ranks and there were many that shouldn't have been their rank. For instance their basic upper block (age uke or jodan uke) our white belt students at my dojo wouldn't get their basics tag for it.

Having good business skills is important yes, but having the skills as a karateka should be even more important. My sensei works hard on the business side of things to keep the dojo running, but he works even harder to ensure his training doesn't slip up and ensures our students are the same

[Hawkmoon]

ah I see.

There is no substitute basics is basics its boring however they are taught for a reason, better pay attention!

Plenty of good and bad in every sports arena, not forgetting the same goes for the participants of the sport!

Have you or anyone done any demos?

Good or bad.