GASHUKU JKA ANGOLA 2025
A Technical, Disciplinary, and Historical Celebration of Traditional Karate

 

From July 23rd to 29th, 2025, the Gashuku JKA Angola 2025 was successfully held— a high-level technical training camp promoted by JKA Angola, with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and integrated into the national celebration of Angola’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

The event took place simultaneously in the provinces of Luanda and Benguela, gathering around 250 athletes including regular practitioners, instructors, and new Dan exam candidates, in an environment marked by discipline, technical rigor, and unity.

During the three-day session in Luanda, intensive training focused on the core pillars of JKA:

• Kihon (fundamentals): with emphasis on posture, precision, and power
• Kata (forms): with bunkai analysis and rigorous technical correction
• Kumite (technical sparring): with drills on timing, distancing, self-control, and focus

The sessions were enriched with joint training between instructors and athletes from various provinces, with notable participation from Luanda, Benguela, Huíla, Huambo, Bié, Namibe, Kwanza Sul, Malanje, Bengo, and Icolo e Bengo, among others.

The Gashuku featured approximately 28 potential Dan candidates, from 1st to 5th Dan, evaluated under strict technical standards with international supervision. 20 candidates were successfully promoted, confirming Angola’s alignment with JKA global standards.

Dan Examination Results
Promotions awarded:

3 karatekas to 5th Dan
5 karatekas to 4th Dan
6 karatekas to 3rd Dan
3 karatekas to 2nd Dan
3 karatekas to 1st Dan

These results reflect a continuous investment in technical excellence and the enduring spirit of Traditional Karate.

International and National Instructors

Shihan Koichiro Okuma – 7th Dan JKA
One of the JKA instructors who has given great support to the development of JKA Karate in Africa. With many years of international service, he is a key figure in JKA’s technical expansion across the continent. Known for his pedagogical demands and deep technical knowledge, he led the Gashuku with charisma and firmness.

Sensei Tatsuro Igarashi – 4th Dan JKA
Instructor at the JKA World Headquarters in Japan. Recognized as a national kumite champion and vice world champion of the Funakoshi Gichin Cup 2024, he stood out during the practical sessions with impressive demonstrations of speed, refined technique, and competitive spirit.

Representing the national team were:

Shihan Germano Gomes – 6th Dan, Chief Instructor of JKA Angola
Shihan João Silva – 6th Dan JKA, Technical Director of JKA Angola

National Expansion – Training in Benguela
Simultaneously, training sessions were held in the province of Benguela, ensuring that practitioners from central and southern regions of the country could also benefit from the presence of international instructors. This decentralization confirms JKA Angola’s commitment to continuous and inclusive development of its members.

On the Road to Japan
This Gashuku also marked the beginning of preparations for the JKA Angola national team, which will participate in the JKA World Karate Championship – Funakoshi Gichin Cup, scheduled for October 2026 in Japan—reaffirming the international level of Angolan Karate.

This initiative strengthens JKA Angola’s commitment to solid technical training,
inclusivity, and respect for the Shotokan Karate tradition, reinforcing its role in building a disciplined, cohesive, and internationally aligned martial community.