WSKF India Karate Instructors Camp, 2012 (Report)

by Arijit Chakraborty
(Kolkata, India)

Puri, Odisha (Nov 22-26, 2012)

Report by: Arijit Chakraborty, National Special Correspondent, WMA

The World Shotokan Karate Federation India (WSKFI) conducted a special 4 day intensive Instructors Camp at Youth Hostel, Puri from November 22- 26, 2012. More than 45 Black Belt Instructors of WSKFI participated in the camp under the guidance of Sensei Sattrajit Chaudhury, 6th Dan WSKF, AIKF- Chief Instructor of the federation in India.

Instructors graded from 1st Dan up to 4th Dan Black Belt from Bihar, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, AP, Kerala, Chattisgarh, MP and Delhi were in the training squad.

Senior Instructors of WSKFI who attended the Camp (3rd Dan Black Belt and above)
Senseis S. R. Sasmal, Nitai Guin, R.N. Khuntia, Jasmine Makhwana, Sachin Pawar, Arijit Chakraborty, Indrajit Bhattacharya, Debasish Bhattacharya, Sanakdeo, P. Patil, Rabi Karale, J. Bijay Kumar and Suraj Deo.

The training was imparted in morning and evening sessions with theory classes during daytime. There was spectacular beach training at 4am everyday which ended with sunrise. The grueling training comprised of advanced multi-directional kihon combinations, continuous partner training to perfect distancing, power and control.

Sensei Chaudhury stressed:

- Compression and expansion of body
- Power from supporting leg in stance movement
- Reaction training
- Conditioning and resistance training
- Speed and correct power application
- Deep Hip movement as opposed to superficial ‘waist’ twist
- Strong fighting spirit and stamina training
- Eye contact during kumite
- ‘Out of the box’ thinking and kata application for senior Dan grades
- Zanshin and calm mind

Sensei Chaudhury taught kata – Jiin and the entire Instructor group practiced this kata in slow speed, per rhythm and thereafter in normal speed to one’s own tempo. Application of turning and shifting moves were explained beautifully by Sensei Chaudhury. Heian and Tekki kata were also practiced in details.

There was also belt exams on 24th November in the evening where 2 candidates passed 2nd Dan and 3 passed their 1st dan in WSKF Shotokan Karate.

There was an attractive Aikido training and demonstration by Sensei Thomas, 5th Dan from Germany on the last day of the training camp. Sensei Chaudhury awarded certificates to Instructors who completed the camp successfully. Sensei Chaudhury also conducted the selection for the Indian contingent at WSKF World Karate Championships, at Tokyo in August 2013.

The Camp ended with a vote of thanks for WSKF Chief Instructor Sensei Hitoshi Kasuya, 8th Dan and Sensei Sattrajit Chaudhury, 6th Dan for their instruction and also to Odisha Instructors - Sensei R.N Khuntia, Sensei Sasmal, Sensei Guin and Sensei Sanak for their excellent logistics arrangements.