SHOTOKAN KARATE RICHMOND

INSTRUCTOR'S PROFILE

INSTRUCTORS RICHMOND SHOTOKAN KARATE

Sensei Con Sklavounos began karate training in 1975.  At age 16 opened the Richmond dojo in 1983.  He has successfully competed, and continues to coach students at State, National and International level.

Sensei Con's training background:

• Japan Karate Association (JKA)

• Shotokan Karate Association of Australia (SKAA) under Australasian Chief Instructor Sensei Frank Nowak

• Shotokan Karate International (SKI) under Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa

• World Shotokan Karate Federation (WSKF) under Sensei Hitoshi Kasuya

• World Shotokan Karate-Do Australia (WSKA) under Sensei John Haitidis

Con was awarded his Shodan (1st dan black belt) at age 15 by Sensei Frank Nowak and opened the Richmond School the following year making him one of, if not the youngest independent instructors in Australia.

Sensei Con and Chief Instructor Sensei John Haitidis (who established the WSKA) have had a long and loyal relationship spanning over 40 years, and continue to be passionate practitioners and coaches in the art of karate.

SHOTOKAN HISTORY

Founded by Gichin Funakoshi (the father of modern karate)

Shotokan is a “hard” style of karate with emphasis on strength, speed, agility, powerful sharp techniques and long low stances.

Shotokan was the name of the first official dojo built by Funakoshi in 1936 at Meiro.  Shoto (松濤, Shōtō) meaning "pine-waves" (the movement of pine needles when the wind blows through them) was Funakoshi's pen-name which he used in his poetic and philosophical writings and messages to his students.  The Japanese kan (館, kan) means "house" or "hall".  In honour of their sensei, Funakoshi's students created a sign reading shōtō-kan which was placed above the entrance of the hall where Funakoshi taught. Gichin Funakoshi never gave his style a name. He simply called it "karate".

Funakoshi awarded the first 1st dan Shotokan to Tokuda, Otsuka, Akiba, Shimizu, Hirose, Gima, and Kasuya on 10 April 1924.  His Korean students founded schools of Shotokan that eventually became Taekwondo.

Shotokan training is divided into three parts: kihon (basics), kata (forms or patterns of techniques), and kumite (sparring/fighting).  Techniques in kihon and kata are characterised by deep, long stances that provide stability, enable powerful movements, and strengthen the legs.  Shotokan is often regarded as a 'hard' martial art.

Funakoshi laid out the Twenty Precepts of Karate, (or niju kun) which form the foundations of the art.  Within these twenty principles lies the philosophy of Shotokan. The principles allude to notions of humility, respect, compassion, patience, and both an inward and outward calmness.

Funakoshi also wrote: "The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of the participant.”

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CHIEF INSTRUCTOR'S PROFILE

Sensei John Haitidis 8th Dan/Hachidan

Sensei John Haitidis commenced his training with the Japan Karate Association (JKA) in the early 70's. He was then associated with SKA, SKI and WSKF before establishing the World Shotokan Karate-Do of Australia. He has maintained his passion and dedication to karate continually passing on his experiences to those willing to learn.

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Sensei John is the Chief Instructor of World Shotokan Karate-Do Australia (WSKA).

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He is the current AKF State Head Kata Coach and has maintained his elite coaching and mentoring roles for decades with both State and National squads travelling all over the world. Sensei John doesn't only support his own organisation's students but students from other karate styles and organisations seeking his guidance and development.

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His extensive experience in both traditional and competition karate is next to none.   He is one of the most experienced instructors/coaches in Australia, if not the world today.

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He is highly sought after by many organisations and instructors of different styles of karate in order to learn his methods of training and teaching, and to build their own organisation's syllabus and management models.