International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation
Encyclopedia
International Okinawan Gōjū-ryū Karate-dō Federation (IOGKF), also known as the International Federation of Karate-do Goju-ryu Okinawa, is an international martial art organization covering Gōjū-ryū karate
. It was founded by Morio Higaonna
(1938–) in July 1979. Higaonna is the current Chief Instructor and Chairman of the IOGKF International. The IOGKF is responsible for spreading the original Gōjū-ryū karate style of Okinawa throughout the world, following the teachings of Chojun Miyagi
. In 2003, the IOGKF was estimated to have around 50,000 members in 45 countries.
IOGKF Structure:
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
. It was founded by Morio Higaonna
Morio Higaonna
is a prominent Okinawan karate practitioner who is the founder and Chief Instructor of the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation . He is a holder of the highest rank in Goju-ryu karate, 10th dan. Higaonna has written several books on Goju-ryu karate, including Traditional Karate-do:...
(1938–) in July 1979. Higaonna is the current Chief Instructor and Chairman of the IOGKF International. The IOGKF is responsible for spreading the original Gōjū-ryū karate style of Okinawa throughout the world, following the teachings of Chojun Miyagi
Chojun Miyagi
was an Okinawan martial artist who founded the Goju-ryu school of karate.-Early life and training:Miyagi was born in Higashimachi, Naha, Okinawa on April 25, 1888, the adopted son of a wealthy businessman. He began his study in Karate-do at the age of nine . He first learned martial arts from Ryuko...
. In 2003, the IOGKF was estimated to have around 50,000 members in 45 countries.
IOGKF Structure:
- Honorary Chairman: Anichi Miyagi
- President of the IOGFK, and IOGKF Chief Instructor: Morio HigaonnaMorio Higaonnais a prominent Okinawan karate practitioner who is the founder and Chief Instructor of the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation . He is a holder of the highest rank in Goju-ryu karate, 10th dan. Higaonna has written several books on Goju-ryu karate, including Traditional Karate-do:...
- Technical Advisor and Headquarter Grading Panel: Bakkies Laubscher and Kazuo Terauchi
- IOGKF Chairman: Katsuya Yamashiro
- IOGKF Vice Chief Instructor And IOGKF Administrative Director: Tetsuji Nakamura
- IOGKF Executive Committee: Ernie Molyneux, Henrik Larsen and Tetsuji Nakamura