JKAAF camp held June 8–11, 2023

JKAAF Camp New Orleans, Louisiana

The members of the JKA American Federation would like to express our deepest gratitude to Ogura Yasunori Sensei for participating as special guest instructor at the JKA American Federation national camp held June 8 – 11, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Xavier University Convocation Center. The camp was very well attended with enthusiastic members from dozens of JKA clubs in North America, as well as representatives from 14 Universities. Each day of camp started with classes lead by Mikami Takayuki Sensei. Mikami Sensei, Chief Instructor and Chairman of the JKA American Federation, who will turn 90 this year, is still actively teaching and has been overseeing our organization for over 60 years. His lessons included several classes of advanced Kihon combinations and applications. Ogura Sensei’s classes and demonstrations focused on applied Kihon and Kumite, along with various Katas. Each class was illuminating on proper basics, correct etiquette, and cultivating a strong martial spirit. More advanced topics included strategies of Kumite, such as timing, distancing, and inducing an opponent’s attack, which are critical elements for effective kumite. The Kata portions of his seminars were equally informative, as our participants had the chance to review familiar katas including Heian Godan, Tekki Shodan, Tekki Nidan, Bassai Dai, Empi, Jion, and Gojushiho Sho. In addition to the thorough training seminars, the JKA American Federation camp offered the chance for official JKA Dan and qualification examinations. The tests were conducted by Ogura Sensei and Mikami Sensei, who were assisted by Kattawar Jerry Sensei and Ferrand Jose Sensei. We would like to congratulate all those who passed and participated in the exams. We offer special thanks and recognition to Kattawar Jerry Sensei, the director of the camp and Vice Chairman of the JKA American Federation, and the staff he put together, for running a valuable and well-organized event. Accordingly, we extend our sincerest appreciation to the JKA headquarters and Ogura Sensei for helping us host such an exceptional and successful event.

Sincerely, Scott Decuir Secretary, JKA American Federation