Master Hirano visits Ermelo Shotokan Karate Academy
He trained at many dojos and was guest instructor at various high schools, universities and dojos in six countries
Karatekas from the Shotokan Karate Academy recently had the privilege of training under an international coach when Saiko Shihan Hirana Osamu, 8th Dan and founder, chief instructor and President of NGKKI visited Ermelo.
This is an honour than crosses only a few karatekas way unless they travel out of the country.
Saiko-Shinan Osamu Hirano was born in 1940 in Wakayama Japan.
He started Gojo Tyu Karate at the age of seven under Shozo Ujita Shihan, one of the founders of Gojo Ryu Karate.
He trained under several masters of the sport and also won many a medal for individual and team participation.
In 1988 he was awarded 8th Dan by the Japan Karate Federation.
He occasionallytrained with the other Goju Ryu pioneers who were direct students of the founder of Goju Ryu Karate Chojun Miyagi: In April 1968 under Shihan Meitoku Yagi, March 1970 under Shinhan Kenzo Uchiage, in January 1971 under Shihan Tomoharu Kizaki and in March 1974 under Shihan Yukinori Uehara.
He trained at many dojos and was guest instructor at various high schools, universities and dojos in six countries.
Sensei and owner of the Shotokan Academy in Ermelo, Eugene Smith, has only had the opportunity to train under a Japanese sensei twice and the head of an international sensei once in the 11 years he has been training karate.
“I also trained under the head of a Belgian karate organisation, but had to travel all the way to Belgium to do it during the world championships.
These opportunities can be expensive and are rarely afforded to small town karate students in their home town.
I am blessed to have been able to put this together for my students. I would like to thank Sensei Humphrey Skossana for helping me to seize this opportunity and of course thank you very much to Saiko Dhihan Hirano” sensei Eugene said.
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