GKR Karate Reviews

Non-contact is a common term used in martial arts circles to describe the protocols followed within a dojo when training in partner exercises or during free-sparring. With the rising popularity of full contact cage fighting in recent years, non-contact or semi-contact styles are often required to explain the effectiveness of their ‘less-than-full-contact’ training systems. In essence, non-contact really implies ‘non-impact’ meaning that training drills that involve working with a partner will not allow students to be struck with lethal or injurious force to the head, body or other vital areas.

In the process of developing effective blocks and strikes however, there will obviously be need for the blocking areas of the body (e.g. forearms, hands etc) to come into contact with the common striking parts of the body (e.g. arms, legs etc.). These exercises are practised in a safe and controlled manner and often involve taking the extra precaution of wearing safety equipment in the event of an accidental contact (e.g. hand and shin protectors, groin guards, mouth guards etc). Even during free sparring, students are required to exhibit physical and emotional control especially when sparring at a vigorous pace. The speed of the free sparring will be governed by the supervising senior in the class and will be reflective of the student’s skill level.

The average time taken for a student to achieve their Shodan-ho (provisional Black belt) in GKR Karate is approximately five to six years. Students with exceptional talent or those with previous traditional karate experience have been known to achieve this in as little as four years. Generally speaking, the minimum age for Junior Black belt is 12 years old although there have a small number of extremely gifted youngsters to have achieved this qualification as early as 10.

Based on interactions with other clubs at either special seminars or external ‘All-style’ tournaments, our experience is that the standard of GKR Karate Black belts compared with other styles is very good. Our Black belt competitors frequently win tournaments in both kata and particularly kumite events in both traditional and free-style competitions. It should be noted however that GKR Karate respects all other styles of martial art and recognises that individual talents and natural athletic abilities often dictate a person’s aesthetic and technical development in a martial art more so than the basic structure of a club’s curriculum.

The most pragmatic view that anyone should take on this subject is that a person’s technical development over time has more to do with their commitment and aptitude for learning than anything else. In other words, it’s more about the ‘individual’ than it is about the ‘style’ and that is why making ‘armchair’ comparisons between martial arts styles based on the standard of a few individuals is inappropriate.

All of our Sensei and Sempai are selected from within our senior student ranks. At various times, we scout classes and gradings for individuals who will fit the profile that we are looking for. Generally speaking, these people show an above average level of physical skill and aptitude for learning, however, we recognise that a karate instructor must be more than just a skilled karate exponent. He/she must also embody the principles of good character and the spirit of ‘karate-do’. In displaying these qualities, a GKR Karate Instructor should strive to be a good example for other adult students, and a role model for the junior students. We have found it a mistake in the past to solely consider the physical skill level of an instructor at the expense of personality and good communication skills. Being a top level karate-ka does not guarantee that someone will be a top role model, an effective communicator, or have the patience or desire to help others.

It is well documented in fact that some of the best instructors in any field were not always the most skilled individual practitioners (e.g. piano teachers, boxing trainers, dancing instructors, gymnastics coaches etc.). If it is felt that a student is training at standards that their particular local instructor is not best suited to teach, then the students will simply be graduated into a more senior class, with a higher ranking instructor in their local area. These instances are rare, but we have provision to deal with this when/if it occurs. This progressive or tiered teaching structure is very effective and GKR Karate has used it to great effect over the years. Ultimately, we believe that our primary goal as instructors is to train our students up to – and eventually – beyond our own standard.

The vast majority of GKR Instructors are Black belts, however the grade level of Branch Instructors will vary from dojo to dojo and is determined somewhat by the grade level of students actually training in those classes. In every region there is a mixture of senior dojos (higher ranked instructors and students), and more junior dojos were a high concentration of new students may typically exist. 90+% of all GKR classes have 2 instructors; mostly comprising of one Sensei (teacher) and one Sempai (assistant teacher).

Some of our detractors like to say online that GKR Karate is a Pyramid scheme. First of all, Pyramid selling schemes are illegal in most countries where we have classes. This is where people are induced to pay money to join something, and then recruit others who also pay to join the scheme (like the old ‘chain letters’). The main feature of pyramid selling schemes is that progressing through the scheme and earning money depends on recruiting other people into the group, rather than selling a genuine product or service. Most people that make this accusation towards GKR Karate either don’t know what a Pyramid scheme is, or they don’t really know how GKR Karate operates.

They may know that we pro-actively market our classes via suburb surveys and in shopping centres and that many career positions within the organisation have a part performance-based income structure (like about half of all other businesses). But that does not constitute anything like a pyramid scheme. Hence, and at the risk of sounding harsh, anyone who describes our organisation in this way is ignorant of the facts and definitions.

Unfortunately, negativity and anonymous criticism is commonplace in all forms of social media these days, whether it’s comments below a Youtube video, posts on Facebook, or gossip-fuelled public forums. The size and scope of our organisation has given us direct exposure to thousands of students of all ages over the years. These students have in turn been taught by thousands of different branch instructors and Regional senior instructors. Given this scale and timeline, it is statistically inevitable that the occasional student may not be satisfied with something we did or a decision that we made. Almost all businesses, clubs and associations have a disgruntled ex-member out there somewhere and when you’re dealing with extremely large clubs like ours with so many thousands of people then we are obviously going to experience our share.

Whilst the vast majority of negative GKR Karate material on the internet is either completely false or at best – out of date – we nonetheless give our full attention to students who have a genuine concern. The only thing we work harder on than providing a positive and encouraging training environment for our students, is in rectifying a problem or error where and if it occurs. All of our Regional and Senior Zone Instructors are directly accessible via the GKR Karate website, as is Shihan Gavin Samin, Shihan Anthony Ryan and Kancho Robert Sullivan (Founder and Chief Instructor).