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NORTHERN GOJU KARATE NEWS & INFORMATION
For the most up-to-date status and what regards to what is happening at Northern Goju Karate, please visit our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/northerngojukarate
Members of Northern Goju Karate can also find additional information on our Facebook Private Group Members-Only Page:
www.facebook.com/groups/ngk.membersonly
The private group members-only page has much more information available to members, such as :
- our Term-by-Term Newsletters,
- our Yearly Calendar,
- information on upcoming events (Gradings, Competitions, Seminars, etc)
- videos related to Basic Techniques and Stances, Kihon, Kata, Pre-Arranged, and Bunkai) to assist students whilst practicing at home.
ARNIS CLASSES
‘Arnis’, also known as ‘Kali’ or ‘Eskrima’, is the National Martial Art of the Philippines.
These three terms are sometimes interchangeable when referring to traditional Filipino martial arts (FMAs).
Arnis emphasizes weapon-based fighting with sticks, knives, bladed weapons, and improvised objects, as well as ‘open hand’ techniques without weapons.
Arnis is a native Philippine Martial Art, teaching Stick (Eskrima) and Weapon Awareness, with the essence of teaching how to use and defend against a weapon, and to understand the difference in distance required to be safe compared to stand-up sparring.
Traditionally, Arnis enabled the combatant to learn how to use and wield machetes and knives and defend against the same. Today, it is taught to better understand the dangers of such weapons, aiding the students in better defending themselves against such weapons once they understand how they can be used.
Arnis is taught with bamboo sticks called ‘Eskrima’, measuring 26” to 28” long.
Arnis is taught using single stick, double stick, stick and knife, double knife, single knife, and unarmed, with emphasis on ‘largo’ (long) and ‘quarto’ (short) range, and is complimentary to every karate-ka’s journey.
Through Arnis training, students will gain great wrist and hand control, faster hand speed, greater coordination, and a better understanding of ranged weapons. Arnis is seen as ‘an extension of your own arm’.
Arnis complements the Goju system, with many similarities found between advanced techniques and timing required in both ‘Arnis’ and ‘Goju’ styles.
Arnis Classes are held on Saturdays at 11:30-am to 12:30pm, refer our timetable for clarification.
GROUND AWARENESS & GRAPPLING CLASSES
Whilst Goju provides a very solid foundation in Stand-Up situations, we, Northern Goju Karate, also provide 'Ground Awareness & Grappling' Classes to aid our students in better defending themselves if ever taken to the ground.
Whether it be to get someone off you or to maintain a top position, to subdue &/or restrain someone to better protect yourself and others, or simply get someone away from you and get back to your feet, our Ground Awareness & Grappling approach teaches our students to better handle a situation of that nature if ever needed.
Our background on Ground Awareness comes directly from 'Shootfighting'which was introduced to Kyoshi Adrian Delia over 30 years ago, and was the same system being thought to law enforcement officers to subdue someone whilst protecting yourself.
Ground Awareness and Grapplig classes occur typically on the first and second Saturdays of each month (2 classes a month typically) and are held on Saturday afternoons from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
Our Yearly Calendar indicates which days these actually occur on and the Calendar is downloadable from our members page.
COMPETITIONS 2025
Over the years, Northern Goju Karate has seen its students enter the following Karate Tournaments / Competitions:
- NAS (National All Styles) Mixed Martial Arts
- VKL (Victorian Karate League)
- AKF (Australian Karate Federation, also known as Karate Australia)
- ISKA (International Sports Karate Association), and
- GKK (Goju Karate Konpe)
In 2025 we will be focussing on the GKK and NAS competitions.
Dates to remember:
GKK - Rd 1 - Sunday May 25, 2025
GKK - Rd 2 - Sunday August 17, 2025
GKK - State Championships - Sunday October 26, 2025
NAS - Rd 1 - Sunday March 30, 2025
NAS - Rd 2 - Sunday June 22, 2025
NAS - State Championships - Sunday September 14, 2025
NAS - National Championships - TBA (possibly in Nov / Dec)