A GROUP of local Goulburn and Crookwell members from the Lambert Karate Dojo and Family Fitness Centre are just back from a two week karate-inspired tour of Japan.
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The group of 35 lead by local Goulburn instructor, Sensei David Lambert, participated in the 2016 World Budosai event, an international karate festival held once every four years in the birthplace of the art, Okinawa.
The event attracted more 1100 attendees, which included the local team.
“We were quickly informed that this was the largest Karate event ever to be held in Okinawa,” Lambert said.
“There was a great atmosphere and it was a really memorable occasion for our members.
“This was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to experience Japanese culture.”
Event organisers invited Sensei Lambert, who has practiced karate in Goulburn for almost 25 years, to be an instructor at this historic event.
“Because of the number of people participating, there were 20 instructors required for this event and it was a real honour to be asked to teach in Okinawa again,” Lambert said.
Lambert is the youngest instructor to ever teach at an international event in Japan organised by the IOGKF, the largest Okinawan Karate Federation in the world.
He was also invited by the Federation’s highest ranked exponent, Sensei Morio Higaonna, to give a performance at the Budosai Masters demonstration and was the only Australian to receive this opportunity.
“It was a really big week,” Lambert said, “but I am so happy with how we all went and that so many people from Goulburn and Crookwell could come along.”
This tour tops off a massive 12 months for the local instructor, who has taught at events in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and has also travelled to Japan twice for his own instruction.
“I’ve been so lucky and I must thank my family, friends and the wonderful members of our club and local community for their support and kindness,” Lambert said.
Lambert shows no signs of slowing down soon. He is preparing a team from Goulburn to defend the club’s Australian Championship title at a tournament being held in Orange in November.
“We have a good team who are all looking forward to the challenge,” Lambert said. “It’s more about the journey than the destination for our club.”
“We are just enjoying the build-up.”
Both of Lambert’s Goulburn and Crookwell clubs will be offering free stranger danger classes for children and self-defence sessions for adults in September.
