Funakoshi Karate Open Championships
Saturday October 20th, 2018 from 8am
Brauer College, Warrnambool-Caramut Road, Warrnambool
- Modified WKF rules
- White Gi, Red & Blue belts
- Free choice kata (juniors must alternate from at least 2)
- Team kata (no bunkai required)
- Point sparring kumite
- Safety equipment required as per WKF rules 2018
For accommodation bookings and tourist information visit
Warrnambool Tourist Information.
Entry forms available from July by contacting us below.
Kicking Tips
Kicking techniques add versatility and range to a karateka’s arsenal.
Firstly, legs are longer than arms giving one greater reach. As students will often be shown, the shortest person in the dojo has greater reach with a kick than the tallest person’s punch.
Secondly, legs are stronger than arms giving one more power.
To master kicks is tricky. The challenges include flexibility, which is why warming-up and stretching are important. Also, balance is important. The secret to success with kicking, as with any karate technique, is practise.
Different areas of the foot for kicking include (see figure below):
- Using the ball of the foot for front and round-house kicks.
- Using the instep for round-house kicks, kicks to an opponent’s legs and low front kicks (e.g. to the groin).
- Using the side edge of the foot for side snap and thrust kicks.
- Using the heel of the foot for back thrust kicks.
- Using the sole of the foot for sweeping techniques.
- Using the knee for knee strikes.
- Guidelines for kicking properly include:
- Being accurate. Kick with the correct part of the foot to an open target – there is no point in kicking knees and elbows!
- Stay relaxed when kicking, paying special attention to relaxing the shoulders and arms.
- Don’t hold your breath when kicking. Proper breathing helps with balance, control and focus of the technique.
- Use the hips to kick. The hips should move in the direction of the kick.
- Keep the supporting leg bent and the foot flat on the floor (for most kicks). The supporting leg is both a shock absorber and your stance. Remember, power and speed start and end with the hips and supporting leg.
- Once the basic technique is understood, practise all kicks as one complete and continuous smooth action.
- Keep the kicking leg soft and relaxed during the kick. This improves the speed and power of the kick.
Funakoshi Karate Open Championships (VRK Round 2)
Report by Peter Conroy & Sarah Irving
The annual Funakoshi Karate Open Championships were held at Brauer College, Warrnambool, on Saturday 23 October. The tournament attracted 130 competitors from Melbourne, Mt Gambier, Ballarat and local clubs (Warrnambool, Hamilton, Terang and Camperdown).
This tournament marked the 22nd consecutive year that FKIA has hosted a competition as part of the annual
South West Games.
Funakoshi Karate students were well represented on the day with the following results:
- Connor Barbary: 4th kata Juniors 16-17 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Connor Barbary: 4th kumite Juniors 16-17 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Joshua Bartlett: 2nd kata Juniors 16-17 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Joshua Bartlett: 3rd kumite Juniors 16-17 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Joshua Bartlett: 1st kata Seniors 3rd kyu & up
- Joshua Bartlett: 3rd kumite Seniors 3rd kyu & up
- Sam Bellman: 4th kata Boys 8-9 yrs 5th kyu & up
- Sam Bellman: competed in Boys 8-9 yrs 5th kyu & up
- Daveigh Brown: 1st kata Girls 12-13 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Daveigh Brown: 4th kumite Girls 12-13 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Emily Burn: competed and performed well in Girls 8-9 yrs 5th kyu & up kata & kumite
- Jillian Cole: competed & performed well in kata Seniors 3rd kyu & up
- Jillian Cole: 1st Kata Veterans
- Tobi Cole: 3rd kata Juniors 16-17 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Max Collins: competed and performed well in kata & kumite Boys 8-9 yrs 5th kyu & up
- Isabella Eldridge: 4th kata Girls 10-11yrs 4th kyu & up
- Curtis Finch: competed & performed well in kata Boys 10-11yrs 4th kyu & up
- Justin Glennen: competed & performed well in kata Cadets 14-15 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Justin Glennen: 4th place kumite Cadets 14-15 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Dean Gould: competed and performed well in Pee Wee Kumite
- Darcy Hancock: 4th kumite Boys 8-9 yrs 10th-6th kyu
- Melissa Hoey: competed & performed well in kata Seniors 3rd kyu & up
- Melissa Hoey: 4th kata Veterans open (35 yrs &up)
- Ryan Jones: 1st kata Seniors 10th- 4th kyu
- Ryan Jones: 1st kumite Seniors 10th- 4th kyu
- Ryan Jones: competed & performed well in Seniors 10th- 4th kyu kata
- Ryan Jones: 2nd kumite Seniors 3rd kyu & up
- Michael Kearney: competed and performed well in kata and kumite seniors male 3rd ku and up.
- Maddison Lillico: 1st kata Cadets 14-15 yrs 10th-5th kyu
- Darcy Lynch: 2nd kata Boys 12-13 yrs 10th-5th kyu
- Darcy Lynch: 3rd kumite Boys 12-13 yrs 10th-5th kyu
- Courtney Mattner: 2nd kata Seniors 3rd kyu & up
- Courtney Mattner: 1st kumite Seniors 3rd kyu & up
- Noah McDonald: 4th kata Boys 8-9 yrs 10th-6th kyu
- Noah McDonald: 3rd kumite Boys 8-9 yrs 10th-6th kyu
- Kathryn Millroy: competed & performed well in kata Seniors 3rd kyu & up
- Kathryn Millroy: 3rd kata Veterans Female
- Jordy Palmer: competed and performed well in Pee Wee Kata and Kumite
- Chelsea Patel: 2nd kataJuniors 16-17 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Chelsea Patel: 2nd kumite Juniors 16-17 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Brian Peach: 3rd kumite Seniors 3rd kyu & up
- Brian Peach: 2nd kumite Veterans open (35 yrs & up)
- Garrin Williamson: competed & performed well in kata Juniors 16-17 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Garrin Williamson: 2nd kumite Juniors 16-17 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Garrin Williamson: 2nd kata Seniors 3rd kyu & up
- Jamie Wright: competed and performed well in kata Boys 12-13 yrs 4th kyu & up
- Lachlan Wright: 1st kata Boys 12-13 yrs 10th-5th kyu
- Lachlan Wright: 4th kumite Boys 12-13 yrs 10th-5th kyu
- Simon Young: 4th kata Boys 12-13 yrs 4th kyu & up
- 1st Senior Team Kata: Chelsea Patel, Garrin Williamson, Simon Young
- 4th Senior Team Kata: Jillian Cole, Kathryn Millroy, Maria Brown
- All Abilities Demonstration event:
- Michael Kearney
- Justin Glennen
- Noal Roney
- Rowan Stephens
- Brian Nash
Karate techniques are similar in most styles. It is the system in which they are taught, that identifies a style. As with all teaching systems, a syllabus is important.
Funakoshi Ryu has a structured, sequential training system. Incorporated into our system is the science of kinetics and biomechanics.
Kinetics is the study of the forces that produce, arrest or modify the motions of the body. Kinetics is the application of Newton’s first and third law of inertia to body dynamics.
In exercise and sport, biomechanics a sub-division of dynamics dealing with the study of the forces causing or tending to cause changes at which reactions proceed.
The stance
The central starting point or foundation of Funakoshi Ryu, is our ‘Kamae’ stance; this stance is more than a fighting position, it contains accurate head, body, arms, hands, leg and foot positioning. This stance is a study in itself. All training techniques start from from this position. This kamae is used in all our training systems: kihon, saiten kentai waza, shiho geri waza, kata and kumite.
Many styles have now copied this kamae and yet it is not in their kihon and kata. This stance is both an aggressive and defensive position. One could say this stance identifies Funakoshi Ryu.
Junior ranking
In 1966 Funakoshi Ryu introduced to the karate world our unique junior karate ranking system. All junior ranks wear a white stripe through their belts, and the awarding of junior black belts, also with a white stripe through the belt.
Funakoshi Ryu has excellent training systems, with great emphasis placed on the detail and perfection, of all kion techniques.
Our unique advanced black belt training syllabus caters for the advancement of karateka through the higher dan rankings.
Ongoing change
Funakoshi Ryu is an on-going style, always looking to improve and advance with new systems and techniques. The method used to train an athlete 50 years ago, cannot be compared to the methods taught today.
Bushido
Funakoshi Kobudo International teaches weapon training to students wishing to practice the disciplines of Bushido weaponry. Edwin Ward Dai Hanshi has studied a variety of weapons and has developed systems of teaching these weapons, unique to Funakoshi Karate International students.
Funakoshi Karate International
Master Gichin Funakoshi, considered the founder of modern day karate, wrote in his teachings “Karate-Do, My Life” and “Kyohan Karate-Do”, many wonderful things. He explained that karate must constantly be improved, modified and changed in order to retain its integrity, vigour and life.
Edwin James Ward started his martial arts career in South Africa in 1958. He studied under many of the top martial arts masters in various styles and disciplines in Japan. Edwin favoured the Shotokan style of karate, but recognised the need for future development. In 1966 Edwin started the development of his own karate style and in honour of Gichin Funakoshi named the style Funakoshi Ryu.
Although many advancements have been made in the history of Funakoshi Ryu style, we still adhere to the traditional Bushido ethics. The Funakoshi Ryu style of karate has proved itself in local and international tournaments with excellent results. Funakoshi Karate International is practised in many countries around the world.
Funakoshi Karate International Australia (FKIA) was first established in Australia by Sensei Frank McKenzie in January 1996. The style is now a recognised member of the Australian Karate Federation (AKF), and through the AKF the World Karate Federation (WKF).
Funakoshi Karate Australia has the following objectives:
- Retain the traditional Funakoshi Karate ethics of structured discipline, basics, kata and kumite
- Enjoy increased recognition, respect and growth as a martial arts leader in Victoria, expanding in time further afield
- Recognise and encourage individual goals, whether competitive, for self-improvement, martial arts weapons, non-competitive, self-defense, non-contact karate etc
- Interact with instructors and students from other local, regional, national and international martial arts styles
- ‘Import’ international guest instructors from within the Funakoshi style and other styles, and embrace the positive ideas and concepts from other styles
- Provide opportunities for continued training and skills development (coaching, refereeing, first aid) for our members
