8 February 2024
It’s a new karate year! π
Classes restarted Monday 22 January 2024, and young students showed great discipline and joy in attending during the last week of school holidays. Warm sunny days allow the doors to be open and sun and breeze onto the tatami. (The odd hot day is cool inside. Set the air-con low! ) There is a sense of quiet excitement in the dojo: through the sweat and concentration, strength is growing. Happy Chinese New Year! ζ°εΉ΄εΏ«δΉ! π Year of the Wood Dragon! π
2 November 2023
The 2024 timetable now available! β°
Our 2024 class schedule has been uploaded. In classic OKUKAN form, well in advance of the year ahead, so you can plan your busy schedules. No class timetable changes again (we like change, but not that sort of change). Our last day of classes for 2023 will be Friday 22 December. Tuition is stopped over the end of year holiday, as always. …We have our finger on the aircon remote, ready to press ‘ON’ for the hot week ahead. Come and train with us. Book a free kids trial!
26 September 2023
Three bronze medals at international world championships π₯π₯π₯
We went to the 10th Shitoryu International Championships in Jakarta and bought home three bronze medals!
33 countries and 584 athletes were in attendance from around the world. Congratulations to the students representing our dojo for their show of bravery, commitment and technical skill on the international arena. Great job! Congratulations to our medal winners! πππ
π₯Ella (age 10) Bronze in Kata
π₯Eva (age 7) Bronze in Kata
π₯Anjum (adult) Bronze in Kata
Thank you for all who were involved in the event, to make this opportunity for development and comradery available to Shitoryu athletes from around the world.
1 August 2023
Thanks to all who attended the TAIKAI 2023βΌοΈ π€©
Congratulations to all the students who participated in KATA and/or KUMITE at the TAIKAI on Sunday 30 July. MSAC were great hosts again. Students gave it their all and showed strength of spirit! First timers were able to experience sports karate, karate-family members who competed in the family KATA division received individual scores from all judges, which provides another level of feedback about their performance/progress, and Advanced students showed great leadership in their volunteer roles, supporting their peers and the younger karate generation. It wouldn’t be the OKUKAN TAIKAI without the parents support either! A big thank you to the parents of students who volunteered, and for all the parens who supported their children by bringing them and witnessing the events. …A special hardcore thank you to the parens who are also students, and who volunteered all day. We saw students win medals who were struggling with confidence, and students not win medals but who had fun anyway. We are grateful for every year that brings us another OKUKAN TAIKAI …and we look ahead with tatami-training in mind, for the dojo tournaments to come. π₯π₯π₯
28 June 2023
Get ready, the OKUKAN TAIKAI 2023 is coming!
OKUKAN students are looking forward to their private, annual karate competition again this year, at MSAC! Featuring KATA and KUMITE categories, and our special β’Kindy Karate Exhibitionβ’. Get ready people! ππ» Registrations open 30 June.
18 June 2023
Gold, silver and bronze in the development division
All of our competitors won medals in the karate tournament on the weekend, Sunday 18 June! 4 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronzeβπThank you for your hard work on and off the tatami, and good job karate parents!
1 June 2023
Master Iwata’s Visit
We were honoured by the highly productive visit of Master Genzo Iwata. A big thank you to the students for their hard work. Please stay inspired to keep training and learning Shitoryu. ππ»
22 May 2023
We look forward to receiving Hanshi Genzo Iwata at OKUKAN
Sensei Sandra is hosting Technical Advisor, Master Genzo Iwata, to visit our Dojo in Coburg from 29-30 May. For those students who have been invited to a training session or Masterclass but haven’t yet registered, please do so. We are so grateful for this upcoming visit.
20 March 2023
Gold in the Development Division π
Congratulations to our students who competed in the development division at the karate tournament on Sunday! OKUKAN dojo ranked first π₯ out of 26 dojos across Melbourne, with six gold π₯and 5 silver π₯ medals. Good job to the students for their efforts! They showed great spirit! This is a nice moment to also commend all karate parents in the dojo, on their commitment to their children’s karate education. π
10 February 2023
Round Robin is coming…
Round robin is back in the dojo, Saturday 4 March. Free 2 hour sparring session for blue belt students and above. π₯ Make sure you attend!
17 January 2023
Sweltering heat, but cool in the dojo π₯Άπ¨
It is a very yucky 37 degrees in Melbourne today. It feels like an oven out there! The icy cool waves or hepa-filtered air in the dojo is a dream come true. Train hard and sweat the right way. πͺπ» We are so glad to be back. Join us!
9 January 2023
Happy New Year Karatekas!
We are so happy to have karate classes restart today! It is going be an awesome training year…
7 December 2022
πMerry Christmas!π
The karate dojo will be closed for regular classes from 15 December 2022 to 8 January 2023. There will be a special karate training seminar conducted over the break (by invitation, for students of higher rank -details provided in class). It has been such a great year for OKUKAN dojo: many adults returned for disciplined training post-pandemic, picking up where they left off with passion and dedication to their health and karate practice. A special thought goes to the children and teenagers who returned to karate training for the first full year of uninterrupted classes: this was especially difficult for some 4, 5 and 6 year olds, who had not had the usual opportunities for socialisation and self-confidence building; and for some pre-teens and teenagers who suffered from anxiety and increased stress, as a result of the effects of lengthy isolation periods throughout 2020 and 2021. All OKUKAN students -and their parents- showed great support, positivity, respect and dedication this year. We are so grateful, and are pumped for what the 2023 OKUKAN karate year will bring. Spoiler alert = it will be awesome.
1 December 2022
πDOJO Holidays 2022
Classes cease 15 Decemer 2022 to 8 January 2023, for the DOJO holiday period. Classes restart Monday 9 January 2023.
11 October 2022
Video Resources: World shitoryu Karate-do Federation
Top quality Shitoryu Karate-do video resources are available for your viewing and learning pleasure. Frequently uploaded new videos feature explanations and tips for beginners, instructional kata videos and plenty of inspirational videos from the World Shitoryu Karate-do Federation. Subscribe and enjoy.
4 September 2022
Celebrating our dojo dads on Fathers Day
A special shout out to all the fathers in the dojo who support their sons and daughters by bringing them to karate classes every week, rain hail and shine -and a particular mention to the dojo dads who train every week themselves, leading by example through their dedication to training Shitoryu karate. We salute you!
31 August 2022
WSKF YouTube channel is live!
We are so excited to have the World Shitoryu Karate-do Federation YouTube channel live and at our fingertips. Only just released. Check it out!
The channel will be a great source of Shitoryu karate videos, posting tips for beginners, inspirational interviews, online Shitoryu seminars, and competition commentary. We can’t wait for the upcoming video content!
1 August 2022
Our annual TAIKAI (yesterday)
Thank you to all the students who participated our annual TAIKAI at MSAC yesterday! A special thanks to the students who devoted their time and skills to the volunteer roles, the event could not have happened without you. Thank you!
1 July 2022
Registrations are now open for the OKUKAN TAIKAI!
Student registrations are now open! Register promptly for your participation in kata and or kumite at our annual event at MSAC, in the MSAC Arena. There will be a Kindy Karate Exhibition during the event for the 4-6 year olds to showcase their skills.
June 2022
No Class Monday 13 June (public holiday)
June 2022
Temperature controlled tatami
Ok so winter has begun, and right on time! It is freezingβοΈout there, but we are fortunate enough to have temperature controlled training. The air is always clean and comfortable in the dojo.
April 2022
Save the Date: 31 July 2022
The OKUKAN TAIKAI 2022 will be held on Sunday 31 July. Family and friends are welcome to watch. All students are encouraged to participate. Save the date! ππ»
8 February 2022
Round-robin kumite!
Details provided in class. Starts this week. π₯
5 January 2022
Classes restart Thursday 6 January 2022
The DOJO reopens Thursday 6 January 2022. All classes running as normal.
13 December 2021
π² DOJO holidays 2021π²
Classes cease 24 December 2021 to 5 January 2022, for the DOJO holiday period. Classes restart Thursday 6 January 2022.
3 December 2021
π¨Our medical-grade HEPA air purifiers have arrived
In addition to the DOJO’s natural-air flow, we now have medical-grade HEPA filters, housing three levels of filtration: pre-filter; medical-grade HEPA filter; commercial-grade carbon filter. These provide us with the highest quality air purification, to further enhance student safety.
13 November 2021
π¨Our new medical-grade HEPA air purifiers arrive soon…
30 October 2021
The DOJO is open
After a long lockdown, restrictions lifted at 6pm on Friday 29 October, to allow indoor sport to resume. The DOJO is open again and it is so good to be back.
25 October 2021
The DOJO reopens on 30 October!
The Victorian Government has announced indoor sport can reopen from Saturday 30 October. The DOJO reopens on Saturday 30 October, with all classes running as usual.
20 October 2021
The DOJO reopens soon!
The Victorian Government has announced indoor sport will be able to reopen in early November. We can’t wait!
10 August 2021
Snap Lockdown 6
The Victorian Government announced a snap lockdown starting Thursday 5 August, 8pm. We are temporarily and will reopen as soon as the Government allows.
3 August 2021
Karate at the Olympics this week! π₯
Is anyone else as excited about Karate at the Olympics 2020 as we are? Karate events screened live at the DOJO for current adult members this week. (Flyers handed out in DOJO.)
27 July 2021
We Reopen Wednesday 28 July!
Hooray! The Victorian Government has announced restrictions ease on Wednesday 28 July, allowing classes to restart. We can’t wait.
15 July 2021
Snap Lockdown Starts Friday 16 July
The Victorian Government has announced a snap lockdown starting Friday 16 July 2021. We will be temporarily closed until restrictions ease.
17 June 2021
We Reopen Friday 18 June!
The Victorian Government has announced restrictions ease for indoor sport on Friday 18 June 2021. Hooray! We will open on Friday 18 June, with all classes running.
27 May 2021
Snap Lockdown
The Victorian Government has announced a seven day snap lockdown. This means we will be closed for the next seven days, starting Friday 28 May. *UPDATE* Lockdown extended. Reopening date to be advised when restrictions lift.
25 May 2021
COVID Update
Classes continue as normal. The Victoria Government has recommended all those over 12 years to wear a face mask when indoors. Those exercising do not need to wear a mask while exercising 1.5m apart, or when physical activity leaves you short of breath or puffing.
7 April 2021
Kids Karate Classes
Children’s martial arts lessons continue during the school holidays. All classes are delivered in the DOJO weekly. Our karate classes are not delivered on public holidays.
30 March 2021
Good news: Sensei is delivering classes as normal on Saturday 3 April for Easter!
30 March 2021
No classes Friday 2 April & Monday 5 April (Easter public holidays)
5 March 2021
No classes Monday 8 March (public holiday)
17 February 2021
Good News! Classes resume 18 February
The Victoria Government has announced lockdown will be lifted 11:59pm tonight. The DOJO will reopen tomorrow, Thursday 18 February with all classes running as normal. We are elated!
12 February 2021
No Classes 13-17 February due to lockdown
The Victorian Government has announced a 5 day lockdown, starting 13 February. No classes will be delivered during this time. Classes will resume Thursday 17 February 2021.
25 January 2021
2021 Training Schedule
Our 2021 training schedule is now available to members as a handout in the DOJO (refer to it for upcoming quarterly grading dates).
25 January 2021
No classes Tuesday 26 January – public holiday
11 January 2021
Classes are on, despite the heat
The temperature is reaching 38 degrees here in Melbourne today. The DOJO is air-conditioned, so your training can continue.
7 January 2021
The DOJO reopens today
All classes are now running. Our 2021 schedule will be available in the DOJO soon.
17 November 2020
New Wednesday 5pm Class
New Wednesday 5pm Just for Kicks! class for 6-9 year olds, starts January 2021.
14 November 2020
Adult training
Adults can train with flexibility again! Thanks to the recent and further easing of restrictions, adults no longer need to nominate their preferred training day/s. Also, Unlimited training is back for adults (five days a week)!
8 November 2020
We are officially open!
Today is the day we received orders from the Victorian Government that indoor sport can resume! From Monday 9th November, OKUKAN DOJO will reopen and all classes will continue. This has been long-waited. Our students and parents have been diligent and patient, and now we can resume the things that are most dear to us. πππππ
26 October 2020
Classes are likely to restart on November 9th!
Todayβs news promised a reopening for us, and we are ready to go. The Victorian Government have advised we can expect to restart indoor classes on Monday 9th November!
25 October 2020
Seven months closed and counting….
The DOJO has been shut down for 31 weeks in a row today, nearing the eight month mark, as requested by the Victorian Government. We remain strong and look forward to opening the doors again.
2 July 2020
New DOJO reno
We have the electrical and removal teams arriving today. They are here to strip out most of the internal partitions, rewire electricals and open up the space we designed as the warm up area.
1 July 2020
New training mats
200 new tatami mats were delivered today.
1 July 2020
Offical securing of our awesome private DOJO
We had been planning on securing our new private DOJO for all of 2019. Then the pandemic came along and threatened to muck up our future.
With all fitness and indoor classes prohibited, the DOJO had to close down from 23 March. We went ahead anyway, securing the awesome private training premises. Now the renovations begin….
11 May 2020
Home training guide uploaded
New karate basics page uploaded. Sensei Sandra produced animations in response to COVID19 and the temporary closure of the DOJO, to help students who want to practice basic karate moves at home.
23 March 2020
Temporary close of DOJO
Temporary closure of the DOJO due to Government restrictions, in response to COVID19. All students have been contacted and advised there are no classes until further notice. All students’ tuition has been suspended immediately.
27 January 2020
Classes restart today!
Today is the first day of training for 2020! woohoo.
26 January 2020