GKR Karate

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Go Kan Ryu (剛完流 Gō Kan-ryū?) or GKR, is a business based on a non-contact karate club mixing features of Shotokan and Goju Ryu together into one style by attempting to blend the two opposite ends of the spectrum of karate. The name of the club roughly translates to "hard and complete system in the way of the empty hand." The motto behind the club is "Karate for Everyone".

Contents

[edit] Origins

The club was founded in Adelaide (Australia), in 1984 by Robert Sullivan, known to the members originally as 'Shihan' (a self-awarded title roughly translated as master) but now known as 'Kancho' (Founder of the Organisation).[1] He was later joined in 1991 by Stacy Karetsian, who previously attained Black Belt status in Shotokan. He was later given the title of 'Shihan' (Master) by Sullivan in 2000.[2]

Since its inception, GKR has grown significantly and currently has well over 50,000+ students, 1500+ instructors and 400+ full time personnel. Classes take place on a daily basis in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the USA.[3]

[edit] Tournaments

GKR makes a significant appearance in the National All Styles competitions in Australia, a competition organised, run and refereed by GKR members with most competitors being GKR students.[4]. GKR does not compete in the Australian Karate Federation championships.

GKR has had a lot of success in the National All Styles Tournament Circuit, winning seven out of twelve of the circuit's "Champion of Champions" titles over the six years that the title has been running (Glenn Hutchison 2001, Vedran Lovric, Angela Uytingco 2002, Craig Lennox, Angela Uytingco 2003, Ben Cunningham 2004, Ben Cunningham 2005).[5] This is often met by a lot of criticism however, because most of the competitors are GKR Members, and it is sometimes argued that National All Styles competitions are heavily biased towards GKR and it's members. This is a point of a lot of ongoing debates.

GKR's second in command, Stacey Karetsian, is on the World NAS board, and the UK NAS[6] director is GKR regional manager James Boardman. A large percentage of its referees are also GKR members which has caused much criticism of GKR as it proves that GKR does not actually compete in true 'All Style' Competitions.

GKR also holds regular in-club tournaments throughout the year. These tournaments are run usually twice a year, one being a Regional tournament, the other a National. They also have a World Cup, which happens every 2 years. The GKR World Cup 2007 was held in Birmingham in the UK at the National Indoor Arena on the 2nd and 3rd of June. The next World Cup will be held in Australia. The World Cup, like most GKR Tournaments, will have Kata, Kumite, team Kata and team Kumite events for each belt and age range. It is felt that this makes it fairer preventing a 15 year old Black Belt from facing a 15 year old 9th Kyu or 30 year old Black Belt. The instructors normally compete separately from the 'public' students in tournaments. Again this has caused much speculation as due to the categories of grade, there are many GKR kyu grades that are now "World Champions". This highly differs from other World Cup's where the best competitors from each country compete regardless of style or grade therefore resulting in only one World Champion.

[edit] Instruction

GKR has instructors called Sensei and Sempai. Prospective instructors who have at least achieved yellow belt (8th Kyu) in the GKR system (a grade that can be achieved by having knowledge of only 5 blocks, 7 strikes, 4 kicks, 3 stances and the first of the GKR kata.) 8th Kyu is a very low grade in the syllabus that is very easy to achieve after only 24 classes (see below). However these prospective sensei are invited to join a more intensive 'STP' "Sensei/Sempai Training Program." GKR trains all prospective instructors for an indefinite period (usually around 10 weeks) in an intensive training program to show teaching capabilities and karate skill, before an exam is set, which they must pass to be accepted onto the 'STP' "Sensei/Sempai Training Program". From this point on, the new trainee may be used as a Sempai and later as a temporary stand-in for other regular instructors, they will carry the rank of Sempai until the senior instructor "Regional Manager" deems them competent to stand in or teach their own class. From the point of passing the exam the new Sempai will wear a Black and White belt to denote them as Sempai/Sensei until they either grade to "Shodan Ho" (provisional Black Belt) or leave the instructor program. Sensei and Sempai are expected to attend senior training with their "Regional Manager" at least once a week to ensure that they are capable of teaching and performing the entire GKR syllabus and are recommended to train as much as possible.

This has led to a furious debate within the karate world as the thought of someone being asked to join the STP after only 12 lessons (see below) raise issues of the standard of GKR karate. Most traditional karate clubs do not allow teaching until the standard of black belt or above. However this also raises an issue of safety, as well as legal issues involving insurance etc. This is one of the main gripes that people have with GKR.

[edit] Grading System

GKR Karate employs a coloured belt grading system.[7] Each rank is called a Kyu until the black belt grade. The recommended minimum times are listed below (NB: the below times are per belt, not cumulative, although in some cases these may be ignored if the Regional Manager feels that someone is advanced enough):

Kyu / Dan Belt Minimum Time and Classes Required
10th Kyu White Belt 0 Classes
9th Kyu White Belt, Yellow Tip 3 weeks, 6 Classes
8th Kyu Yellow Belt 3 weeks, 6 Classes
7th Kyu (ho) Yellow Belt, Orange Tip 6 weeks, 12 classes
7th Kyu Orange Belt 6 weeks, 12 classes
6th Kyu Green Belt 4 months, 36 classes
5th Kyu Blue Belt 5 months, 40 Classes
4th Kyu Red Belt 5 months, 40 Classes
3rd Kyu Brown Belt 6 months, 50 Classes
2nd Kyu Brown Belt, Black Tip 6 months, 50 Classes
1st Kyu Brown Belt, Double Black Tip 6 months, 50 Classes
Shodan Ho Provisional Black Belt 6 months, 50 classes
Shodan 1st Dan Black Belt 1 year, 100 classes
Nidan 2nd Dan Black Belt 2 years, 200 classes

The Yellow and Orange tips are given as encouragement grades, without requiring formal grading. For instance, the Yellow Tip is given after 6 classes.

As of 1st January 2008 this is now just a guide. If a Sensei believes the student ready then he/she may be graded sooner than the time stated on the above chart and vice versa.

As of June 2007, Sullivan is ranked 7th Dan[8] under the Go Kan Ryu syllabus, and Karetsian is a 5th dan.[9] Gavin Samin[10] is the international vice president and senior instructor for GKR, he is currently ranked 4th Dan. Tyrone Coates[11]is the 3rd dan senior instructor for UK southern zone, and Nabil Fanous,[12] is a 4th dan senior instructor for Australia northern zone. While some students may move more quickly through the ranks then others, GKR argues that karate is, above all else, a personal journey, with an individual's progress from their starting point being more important than specific markers of technical skill. GKR also points out that, unlike many organisations, a student who fails a grading is not asked to pay for subsequent attempts at the grading.

[edit] Kata

From the age of 13 and over or 6th Kyu (Green Belt) Kata (routines) must be performed to show a significant progress in technique and strength. At each grading a student will perform the Kata for their belt and all the ones for the levels below.

Kyu / Dan Belt Kata to be Performed
10th Kyu White Belt N/A
9th Kyu White Belt, Yellow Tip N/A
8th Kyu Yellow Belt Taigyoku Shodan
7th Kyu (ho) Yellow Belt, Orange Tip N/A
7th Kyu Orange Belt Taigyoku Nidan
6th Kyu Green Belt Saifa
5th Kyu Blue Belt Saifa
4th Kyu Red Belt Bassai Dai
3rd Kyu Brown Belt Bassai Dai
2nd Kyu Brown Belt, Black Tip Seiunchin
1st Kyu Brown Belt, Double Black Tip Empi
Shodan Ho Provisional Black Belt Sanseryu, Sepai
Shodan 1st Dan Black Belt Sepai, Hangetsu
Nidan 2nd Dan Black Belt Kururunfa, Kanku Dai
Sandan 3rd Dan Black Belt Shishoshin, Kanku Sho
Yondan 4th Dan Black Belt Seisan, Sochin

Each style of Karate has its own Kata; the ones used in GKR are combinations of those from the styles Sullivan studied.

[edit] Kancho Robert Sullivan

Kancho Robert Sullivan is the Founder and Chief Instructor of Go-Kan-Ryu Karate (GKR).

Born in 1947, Sullivan spent most of his early life growing up in Gosford, New South Wales. At the age of 17, his fascination with martial arts led him to begin training Karate.

He returned home to Australia from America (where he had been teaching karate and had even had a short run on TV) in December 1971 to marry and begin his family. This is with 7 years experience in martial arts. Over the next 13 years Sullivan gained experience working and starting a number of businesses, but he eventually found himself turning his focus back to his passion for teaching karate. In 1984 he started Go Kan Ryu karate. His original aim was to build a karate club, and in the 20 years since then, the club membership has grown through sales techniques and a constant demand for new students.

It is known that Sullivan's training also involved getting a green belt in Goju Kai[13] as well as training for four months in another style. Sullivan also trained with Hirokazu Kanazawa in Shotokan karate.

He is currently located in Sydney, where he lives with wife Donna, and two kids Lee & Laura.

[edit] Controversies

  • Kenshukai Karate - The former managing director of the organisation, Adrian Sclanders, unsuccessfully attempted to wrest the organisation from Sullivan's control. He was subsequently dismissed from the organisation, starting up his own schools called Kenshukai.
  • Recruitment - A significant proportion of GKR's member base is from its door-to-door recruitment system[citation needed]. This system of student recruitment was taught to Robert Sullivan by Matsugi Tanaka, who was at that time the Senior Instructor of GoKan Ryu at the Adelaide Headquarters, this was during 1984/85. Matsugi Tanaka had joined GoKan Ryu already a Sandan in Shotokan and significantly contributed to the manner in which Robert Sullivan viewed the potential of Karate as a business. It is often children who are signed into this system by parents, although a lot of adults have also been recruited in this way. The method of door-to-door selling is unpopular with sections of the martial arts community and many styles have criticised GKR for its "commercial" or Amway approach to martial arts and for not caring about their members. GKR shrugs off such accusations, alleging that there is a strong "family" feel amongst its students and senseis.
  • Sensei Training - It is expected that Sensei and Sempai will attend Senior training on a regular weekly basis. Senseis of GKR also receive free annual subscription to the myGKR[14] online article service.
  • Sensei Recruitment - Often Sensei will spot students who have potential and attempt to encourage them to become a Sensei.
  • Insurance - GKR's insurance provides coverage to all people under the care and control of GKR.[15] This means both students and instructors, whether an injury occurs in class, special seminar or other event. The insurance is negligence/fault based and what this means in practice is that all incidents are covered as long as the claimant can prove negligence or contributory negligence on the part of GKR. GKR remind all GKR participants of their responsibility to take all reasonable steps to avoid or minimise risk by adherence to GKR’s protocols and the use of safety equipment. Instructors are covered for liability and can rely on GKR’s insurance to protect them from a claim. Additionally, there is member to member cover. This means that if an injury is caused by a student to another student, this is covered so long as it occurs in the course of the members’ participation in any GKR supervised class or activity. GKR does not provide “no fault” sick and accident coverage for students as the premiums are very substantial. Furthermore many people have sick leave, medical insurance and private sick and accident cover and it would be unfair to ask these people to contribute through higher class fees towards those who chose to not have this form of cover.
  • Locations - GKR usually use school halls or community centre. These arent full time dojos and have higher risk of injury than full time properly floored locations.

[edit] Club Growth and Marketing

GKR advertise in Australia and UK job centres for "self-defence consultants." No prior knowledge or experience is required[citation needed] and candidates are often told to complete successfully a trial period in which they must sell a minimum number of memberships as door-to-door recruiters. These recruiters are paid by commission only when they sign new members for trial periods. When the 'new' member then becomes a full members by attending a class the regional manager then takes profits from the class. 'Full timers' train at least 3 times a week consistently, there is the possibility that they will be promoted to a regional manager. There have been regional managers at blue belt and above. These SDCs receive free training and management skills in return for helping promote the karate classes. Some instructors wear black belts with white stripes through them, indicating they are not in fact Shodan (1st Dan) level but in training. All Sensei must be Police Checked [16] and First Aid trained to complete GKRs Accreditation to become an instructor.[17]

[edit] References

 This article or section includes a list of references or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations.
You can improve this article by introducing more precise citations.
  1. ^ Go Kan Ryu - about, accessed August 2007
  2. ^ Stacy Karetsian GKRKarate.com
  3. ^ Go Kan Ryu
  4. ^ National All Styles
  5. ^ National All Styles Champions of Champions
  6. ^ UK NAS
  7. ^ Go Kan Ryu
  8. ^ Robert Sullivan Go Kan Ryu
  9. ^ Stacy Karetsian Go Kan Ryu
  10. ^ Gavin Samin Go Kan Ryu
  11. ^ Tyrone CoatesGo Kan Ryu
  12. ^ Nabil Fanous Go Kan Ryu
  13. ^ Blitz Magazine Interview Unofficial Go Kan Ryu
  14. ^ myGKR myGKR online article service
  15. ^ GKR Insurance retrieved 16/02/2008
  16. ^ see Blue Card
  17. ^ GKR Instructor Accreditation retrived February 2008

[edit] External links

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