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Friday August 7th

Session One The first session of the day started with Kobudo. We started with all of the bo kata and then broke off in groups. The kyu ranks that did not do kobudo yet went with Sensei Felix Vlad for a kumite class.






Makoto Gibu Sensei and Izumi Sensei took a group outside to concentrate on Kubo no Kun and worked on not only the kata pattern but on mechanics of the bo.

Session Two The next session concentrated on kumite and we began with a fifteen minute round of iri kumi with partners. A few of us jumped at the chance to do kumite with Makoto Gibu Sensei whose kumite is masterful. Just as you throw a technique, you instantly regret it because you know that you are going to get hit with an instantaneous counter. His combinations are also executed in a way that you cannot counter them because he analyzes how you react within the first minute of the match and then uses it against you. Gibu Sensei was proudly telling me about his son's tournament history and how he has won Kyokushinkai tournaments every since he was in elementary school. He also placed second at the All-Japan Kyokushinkai tournament three times for his division.







After our "warmup" round, Makoto Gibu Sensei then took us through a number of kumite counter and attack drills from different distances and speeds. He also led some drills that had to do with timing and reaction with partners.



If you have read the April 2009 Okinawa trip diary, I talked about doing a kumite session with Makoto Gibu Sensei and how amazed I was at his power when doing bag work. It was also very frightful when I realized just how much he had been "playing" with me when we had sparred before. The power he generates is incredible and no matter what part of your body-if he hit you full power, you would not get up, period. While the group was working on partner drills, I asked him to demonstrate again what I had seen in April. He was very reluctant and humble and declined but after I kept asking, he agreed. Those who were peeking over their shoulder got a look at what I have been raving about since that Spring trip.

Black Belt Testing We had a number of students that qualified for dan testing and Gibu Sensei was kind enough to allow board examinations at camp. Makoto Gibu Sensei and Izumi Sensei sat on the board as well as each student was called up. Everyone was understandably nervous but did a great job and we were very proud of them all.



Tim Poland-Sandan/3rd Dan Joe Wilson- Sandan/3rd Dan Lindsey Lord-Nidan/2nd Dan Anthony Dipette-Nidan/ 2nd Dan Eric Garcia-Shodan/1st Dan Sam Campbell-Shodan/1st Dan Tyler Price-Junior Shodan Dominic Peri-Junior Shodan Micah Garrison-Junior Shodan

Final Session Gibu Sensei lined everyone up for the final session where we performed kata together for the last time at camp. He asked everyone to give their strongest effort and show tremendous spirit.


After bowing out, it came time to close our gasshuku and gave me a chance to thank all of our wonderful dojo PTA parents who worked so hard to help make this camp and week a success. I thanked Wes Brown Sensei for his work on the limited edition Gasshuku book that he helped put together on his own time. My wife Lorie was amazing through the year as we planned the camp and all of the events, fundraisers and details of this special week. None of this would have happened without her.

Lastly, I got to thank each of our international guests as well as my Okinawan sempai and Gibu Sensei.



Gibu Sensei then personally presented each person with a gasshuku certificate as well as a packet of Okinawan candy and a small bottle of Okinawan star sand. His generosity is always amazing and he treated every student at camp as they were just as important as the highest ranked person in the room.

Our sobetsukai(farewell dinner) was at Alize's Bistro, which is owned by Felix Vlad Sensei in downtown Williamsburg. He had prepared a wonderful multi-course meal and arranged for karaoke for entertainment.




The highlight of the night was MakotoGibu Sensei performing Elvis' "I can't help falling in love with you." in perfect English and perfect pitch. He was amazing and we were all out of chairs cheering and applauding.




After saying goodbyes at the restaurant, I took our guests home to finish packing for the flight in the morning. We left at 4:30 a.m. for Richmond and Lorie was able to say goodbye to everyone before we left. Joe came with his truck to help with the luggage and Eric and Carel met us there to say goodbye as well. Sensei said that they would see us next summer and thank us for everything over the past week. We said our final goodbyes at the security checkpoint and watched them as they disappeared down the corridor. There are not words to describe how incredible the week was. Again, if someone had told me when I was a blue belt or even a shodan, that any of this would happen, I would have thought they were insane. Gibu Sensei, Makoto Gibu Sensei and Izumi Sensei gave so much of themselves this week and treated everyone with so much kindness and mutual respect. I will forever be in debt to them for the incredible experiences that they gave to us.	Izumi Sensei stayed in Emily's room during the week and when I returned from the airport that morning, I was so moved (and tickled) by the sweet and funny note that he had written to her in English.

Over the past few years, a senior teacher in the Shorinkan, who I will always consider a friend, unfortunately chose to speak badly of me and Gibu Sensei on a number of occasions to whoever would listen at their training camps. He would accuse me of leaving the Shorinkan for rank and stated a question to people "What will Gibu teach him?"

Again, it is unfortunate that this was said considering the well known and respected seniority of Gibu Sensei and the tremendous depth of knowledge that he has- years past others that he actually taught in the Shorinkan who are now 9th dans on Okinawa.

Instead of defending my teacher, who doesn't need it, I will only answer this person's soap box question with one word -everything.

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