News and Events

To Sensei Vaviti Vavitis

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Published on Friday, 11 May 2012 21:45

(Originally from: EKK Winter Boot Camp 2012, www.kyokukieran.com)

Another year, another set of boot camps. The first, however, was surpisingly different.

First things first: I’ve grown to really enjoy, almost love, the EKK boot camps.

My very first boot camp, as a white belt karateka, was possibly the most shocking. I had attended it after only a few weeks of training at EKK and thought ‘How bad can it be?’… only to find out that my level of fitness, coupled with early morning training sessions without 24 hours between each session, brought reality slamming back to my senses. The next camp was better: I knew what to expect, but was feeling apprehensive about going through all that pain and soreness again. Fortunately, my fitness had improved and I came out of it in better shape than the first.

Years later, boot camp has become something I truly look forward to. Rarely, in the hustle and bustle of daily life (even training four days a week), do you have the chance to focus your mind, body and spirit on your Kyokushin training for 48 hours – pushing yourself to your limits in keeping up with the running, completing your more demanding basics and squad exercises, undertaking your grading tests and kumite and dumping yourself into, the often freezing, Western Port bay. Lord Somers is also a great setting, with a great hall, grass areas and beach frontage. You really feel like you’ve left the city behind and arrived somewhere free of mundane shackles, ready to focus and revisit your Kyokushin training.

The first boot camp of 2012, the EKK Winter boot camp, started with the different, and slightly refreshing, notion that I was not required to grade this time around. I might have been forgiven for thinking this means it would not be as stressful. And, in some ways, I suppose it wasn’t – I didn’t have to be graded at least. All the other training sessions, however, were undertaken just as hard – if not harder.

The most memorable session, which is usually the most gruelling (of which this was no exception), was the Saturday afternoon session. Beginning with a run in the oncoming storm and various exercises on the run back (crab walk, duck walk, backwards run… of which I sprinted in, tripped and slammed into the sand), we were greeted by an amazing and picturesque rainbow. Yes, it even turned into a double rainbow. Hell, it was almost a triple rainbow. After the run, we moved to sand bank that had appeared following low tide. There, we performed basics, in a sun shower, with a massive rainbow overhead and a setting sun, followed by technique work and take downs. What was left was the kumite (fights) for those who were grading. As the sun set, all EKK karateka engaged in spirited kumite until the sun had set and the moon started rising. Under the dwindling light of the sun and the rising full moon, with increasingly wild wind and rain, Sensei and his nidan Sempai put the black tags grading for black belt through their paces. The bouts were intense and full of Kyokushin spirit. After the last bout with Sensei, a huge round of applause under the full moon was given – followed by a mad dash to the water and into the showers. A truly inspiring training session in an picturesque setting, with amazing effort by all involve, that is to be remembered for years to come.

I treated it as a prelude for what is to come in September – my own black belt grading.

And so begins a more serious countdown. I am beginning my final kata (polishing those I have already learnt) and attempting to implement a very real fitness regime. This means more cardio (cycling, running and general training), weights (holy moly… still haven’t implemented this) and a generally healthier lifestyle (this could include become a hermit and removing myself from temptation!).

-Kieran W.

Tameshiwari night, March 2012

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Published on Saturday, 10 March 2012 00:24

Well done EKK for a successful night of Tamashiwari!! Check out the new video clips and photos that are being uploaded weekly into the gallery. Osu!

KSK Union Kancho Darren Murphy to undertake 50 man kumite

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Published on Thursday, 25 August 2011 08:19

Kyokushin Schools of Karate Union Kancho Darren Murphy (6th dan) is preparing to undertake a 50 man kumite test.

The grueling 50 man kumite consists of 50 x 1 minute rounds, requiring great feats of strength, stamina, skill and endurance.

The test will be held at the KSK Honbu (UK) at 2 pm on the 24th of September 2011.

OSU!

Kyokushin Nationals 2011

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Published on Wednesday, 13 April 2011 03:29

I would like to congratulate all seven competitors of Extreme Kyokushin Karate Melbourne on their wonderful performance at the Sydney IKO south pacific selection Tournament. EKK managed to bring back to Melbourne many trophies which included two first place, two second place and two third place positions.

First places

Lisa Shnider (Woman’s junior colts)
Hayley Efthymiadis (Kids Open full contact)

Second places

Nick Vavitis (Heavy weight colts)
Adin Birchell (Men's light weight intermediate)

Third places

Nick Karboulaxanos (Kids open full contact)
Luke Camillo (Colts open middle weight novice)


I would also like to congratulate all other EKK members who did place but were not awarded with trophies due to the fights being round robins etc.