Stiring, Scotland July 28—August 1, 2014
1984 was the first and only time that IOGKF Scotland
(SGKA) played host to a major International event, when
they hosted the European Gasshuku that year. 30 years
later and there are more IOGKF member countries than
ever before and European Gasshuku numbers continue to
grow. In 2010, Scotland Chief Instructor and IOGKF
founding country head Sensei John Lambert had tradgically passed away from cancer. In is final months he approved
permission for his students to push for a bid to host the
2014 European Gasshuku in Stirling, Scotland. Hours of
dedicated hard work from the organising committee, support from senior instructors across the globe and with the
Goju-ryu spirit driving them, Scotland unanimously won the bid to host the 2014
IOGKF European Gasshuku at a meeting at the 2011 event.
Now the event is upon us and Goju-ryu Master Morio Higaonna, World Chief Instructor, Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura, along with Vice-Chiefs, Sensei Ernie Molyneux &
Sensei Henrik Larsen will be travelling to Stirling, Scotland with other International
senior instructors for an event like no other.
Described by Higaonna Sensei as ‘Scotland Samurai’, Stiriling is the Scottish city where
Braveheart’s William Wallace did battle and defeated an enormous English army. The
same warrior spirit is will harnessed and put into training by Master Higaonna when he
takes to the floor of Stirling University, the venue of the 2014 European Gasshuku.
The event has been organised in such a way, that attendees can train, eat and sleep
within the same complex as Stirling university offers an abundance of activities, accommodation options and world class training venues. Amongst this great advantage, Stirling has a number of must see tourism sites and the event hosts have organised optional tours for attendees following training so they can experience all that Scotland
has to offer. Tours for the William Wallace monument and the battle of Bannockburn,
picturesque Loch Katrine, along with Stirling city and castle trips have been organised.