MOUNT Gambier’s first Japanese affiliated Kyokushin karate dojo has opened under head instructor Kathy Nunn.
Making its home in the Mount Gambier Cycling Club clubroom at Blue Lake Sports Park, the Murasaki Kyokushin Karate Dojo welcomed promising numbers at its opening night on Monday.
Nunn said the decision to establish the dojo was due to the lack of Japanese-connected teachings in the Blue Lake City.
“I felt like there was a need to open up,” she said.
“We are the only Japanese affiliated dojo in Mount Gambier.
“We have a brother dojo in Allendale and we have another one in Millicent which is run by Sensei Ian McGregor, but this is the first in Mount Gambier.”
The style of Kyokushin karate was founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese karate master, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama and Nunn holds a strong belief in staying true to his ways to keep the style pure.
With the Murasaki dojo affiliated with Shihan Ritchie Saunders in Geelong, Nunn said through his guidance she hoped to achieve this goal.
Unlike some styles, Kyokushin is a full contact karate and fights does not revolve around a point system like other disciplines.
“It teaches the students how to protect themselves,” Nunn said.
“The fighting is full contact, which you might come up against out on the street.
“We also do self defence.
“It is an all-rounded karate, but it is one of the strongest types of karate you can do.”
Having trained in karate for over three decades, Nunn said she felt it was the right time to use her knowledge and skills to give back to the students of the sport, after progressing through her black belt rankings.
“I thought it was time I went out on my own and started my own dojo,” she said.
“I have trained in Kyokushin for 35 years on and off, so it was just naturally going to be a Kyokushin dojo.
“I got my Shodan and my Nidan in Kyokushin within the last five years, but up until then I have been a national and state competitor.”
Having competed in kata, full-contact and non-contact, along with training in weapons throughout this time, Nunn has a world of knowledge to pass on to her students.
With 15 students attending Monday night’s class, many of them new to karate, Nunn said the demand for the sport continues to grow in today’s society.
“The need for martial arts and to be able to defend yourself is growing,” she said.
“It does not matter how old you are, how young you are or whether you are male or female.”
And karate is not only for those wanting to compete, with discipline, hand-eye coordination, strength and flexibility just a few of the benefits which can come from the sport.
“It’s such an all-rounded sport,” Nunn said.
“You can do it to become a Shodan or you can just do it for fun and to keep fit.
