OKUKAN History
OKUKAN Shito-Ryu Karate-Do, Melbourne. OKUKAN is a school of Shito-Ryu Karate-Do in inner Melbourne. Founded by Sensei Sandra Contreras, the dojo is a full-time, private karate school just 7km north of Melbourne CBD.
Meet Sensei Sandra
Sandra Contreras (5th Dan), is founder of OKUKAN Dojo and of the Kindy Karate program.
Originally from Venezuela, she is an accomplished karateka. She was a Dojo assistant to the President of the Pan-American Shitoryu Karate Federation, Master Shoko Sato in the early 90’s.
She was an unbeatable champion in her teens and early twenties and, as a result of Master Sato’s teaching, she became the sole representative of the Venezuelan National Team in the specialty of individual female kata, from 1990 to 1994.
Sandra was a multiple medallist at the Karate events within the Pan-American Olympic Cycle (tournaments for selection toward Olympic participation) and won awards including National Athlete of the Year 1992, granted by the Venezuelan Sports Institute.
Sensei Sandra continues to train and teach with passion for genuine Shito-ryu Karate-Do. (Read Sensei’s full karate history here.)
Sensei Sandra: Sports Karate Snapshot
Member of the Venezuelan National Team for three consecutive years (1991-1994)
Multiple medalist at Shoko Sato Cup
Medalist at the Pan-American Olympic cycle tournaments
National Athlete of the Year 1992, Venezuelan Sports Institute
OKUKAN Dojo maintains ties with:
Hanshi Master Iwata is 8th Dan, President of World Shito-ryu Karate-do Federation. Read more about Master Genzo Iwata here.
Hanshi Shoko Sato is 8th Dan, President of Pan-American Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Federation & Vice-President of the World Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Federation. Read more about Master Shoko Sato here.
• AUSTRALIAN KARATE FEDERATION (AKF)
OKUKAN is a member of the Australian Karate Federation. The AKF is a member of the World Karate Federation (WKF) and this links its members to 170 countries worldwide.
Teaching Philosophy
Instruction operates within the rules, spirit and integrity of Shitoryu Karate-Do.
We endeavour to assess each student’s performance objectively and individually, encouraging fair participation, helping each student reach their potential. Learning activities designed in our karate school promote a social environment, where members of our community are treated with courtesy and care, regardless of gender, ability, cultural background or religion, including students, parents, guests, and staff members.
We promote learning over competitive sport, but there are all the opportunities available to students for competition karate, for those dedicated students wishing to step it up in sports karate.
Sensei Sandra is a former elite athlete.
Karateka’s Code: DOJO KUN
First and foremost: Seek perfection of character.
First and foremost: Be loyal.
First and foremost: Endeavour to excel.
First and foremost: Respect others.
First and foremost: Refrain from violent behaviour.
Shitoryu’s Five Way Spirit
Determination. Never forget the spirit of first beginning.
Morality. Never neglect courtesy and etiquette.
Development. Never neglect effort.
Common sense. Never lose common sense.
Peace. Never disturb harmony.
Safe Training
Decisions and actions at OKUKAN contribute to a safe environment, giving priority to the safety of students. Sensei Sandra holds a Working with Children Check and understands First Aid current practices. Free sparring is practiced while wearing WKF-approved protective gear.
OKUKAN Membership
Membership is a once-off fee, helping to ensure that the karate style you practice (Shitoryu) is maintained and delivered genuinely.
Athletes’ development is progressively assessed during training. As with most modern martial arts, our school has a grading system to symbolise stages of learning. To be a part of the formal grading system in our karate school, you will need to become an OKUKAN member. This membership also ensures that your grading is acknowledged internationally.
