This week in GKR Stories we hear about a dedicated group of students from the Philippines who are achieving great things training with the Online Academy.

GKR Stories – Online Academy

Online Academy – Philippines

The GKR Online Karate and Fitness Academy allows students from across the globe to learn karate. This week in GKR Stories we hear about a dedicated group of students from the Philippines who are achieving great things training with the Online Academy.

It’s just before 5pm on a Thursday afternoon in Alfonso, Cavite in the Philippines, and a small group of dedicated students are warming up in their local church in preparation for their weekly online GKR Karate class.

These students have been turning up for months to be taught Karate by Sensei Edwin Delos Reyes who lives in Australia and takes the GKR Online Karate and Fitness Academy Thursday online class.

“I’m excited to teach every Thursday because of the kids I’m training…..they are focused and willing to learn new things,” Edwin says of the students in the Philippines.

In casual clothes, the kids bow-in and start their warm-up, their location may be remote but just like the many thousands of other GKR students around the world, they are helping Kancho Robert Sullivan realise his dream of ‘Karate for everyone’.

It all started in October 2023, Renshi Jan Lopez and his family visited the Philippines for a holiday. Jan’s Aunty is the Pastor of a church there, so Renshi Jan and his family organised a free class for the church kids and adults. Since then, there has been continued interest in the community and a real hunger to learn karate.

Just like students that attend in-person classes, our students in the Philippines learn the basics of karate and can progress to their next grade level. With online gradings recently taking place, this group of students in the Philippines were the first to train and grade exclusively online with the Online Academy.

Every week, the students enjoy learning new skills and the benefit of increased strength, agility and focus that karate offers.

International Senior Instructor for the Online Academy, Renshi Jan Lopez, recently decided to donate some of his gently worn belts, uniforms and protective equipment to the students in the Philippines. In true karate fashion, when Jan’s students heard about this, they followed his lead and chipped in to help support their fellow karate-ka in another country.

“I was sending them a bunch of my old mitts, gloves and pads. At the same time, I thought there might be others in Region 4 in the same boat who’d want to donate their old karate gear too – we’re now sending two boxes of karate equipment over,” Renshi Jan said.

The students in the Philippines are a great example of how our online karate training options can break down traditional barriers to access, spreading the benefits of karate where it might otherwise be inaccessible, passing knowledge on, and building a truly global GKR community.

It’s also allowed our club to reach students in parts of the world where we don’t currently have physical classes.

We want to hear your story

We’re inviting members to reach out to us and share how joining GKR Karate has been instrumental in crafting their personal tales of inspiration, transformation, or courage.

If you wish to share your story or that of a friend or family member, please click here.

Why GKR Karate?

GKR creates the right environment for our members to train in. Although we promote self defence and fitness, our style also fosters positive values, confidence, discipline, focus and well being. GKR teaches you not only how to punch and kick, it teaches you to be a better person.

We encourage students of all ages, from all walks of life to join our club and be part of the supportive ‘family’ that is GKR Karate.

Self Defence

Synonymous with martial arts, self defence and inner self confidence are one of the key takeaways from regular training. From the age of 5 GKR teaches basic self defence and extraction moves, continuing right through to our senior grades.
Weight Loss

Karate is a great way to lose or maintain a healthy weight, with most classes consisting of aerobic, stretching and toning activities. For those who may not have exercised in some time, GKR provides a supportive environment where students can train at their own pace and physical ability. Our classes are a mixture of men, women and children of all ages.
Focus

Many parents are keen to see their children develop greater focus and discipline through their martial arts training, and GKR’s classes provide the perfect environment. Instructors teach in a respectful and supportive atmosphere through karate inspired games, activities and drills.

Family

GKR promotes a family environment, encouraging kids, parents and relatives to all train in the same class. Staying a few karate grades behind your children, will encourage them to continue a regular training program.
Respect

As a traditional Japanese martial arts, karate promotes respect to our instructors, our club, each other and most importantly ourselves. This is a key part of your learnings as a student of GKR karate.
Friendships

Although karate is considered a solo sport, it is still the foundation for many life long friendships. Classes include games and partner work where children and adults alike take the opportunity to learn about and bond with their fellow class mates.

Have a question or require further information? Contact us today.

About GKR

GKR Stories – Online Academy

Online Academy – Philippines

The GKR Online Karate and Fitness Academy allows students from across the globe to learn karate. This week in GKR Stories we hear about a dedicated group of students from the Philippines who are achieving great things training with the Online Academy.

We want to hear your story

Why GKR Karate?

Membership Enquiry