OSUmag - Issue 5 (Jul/Aug 2020)

Welcome to the 5th edition of Osu! Magazine (Click HERE to download the current issue).

Since publication of the last edition we have successfully negotiated our way through remote training by way of Zoom and have re-opened the dojo. Training is currently limited to non-contact work, but it is hoped that this will change in the near future. However, we are determined to adopt a cautious approach and not to take any unnecessary risks.

Students have returned to training with great enthusiasm and I must say that having you all back on the floor has been wonderful. I congratulate you for the determined and disciplined way in which you maintained your training throughout the lock-down.

The Covid-19 epidemic has to some extent affected our student numbers and has caused a significant reduction in rental income from our sub-tenants. However, government assistance has been very helpful and I am hopeful that by the time such assistance comes to an end, all of our students will be back on the floor and that our sub-tenants will have recovered from the downturn in their activities. I mention these facts in order to emphasize our appreciation to all those students who have continued to support us in every possible way.

As you know, during the lock-down we took the opportunity of renovating and renewing the dojo. I am sure that you will all agree that the dojo is looking fantastic and I ask that you all do your bit to ensure that it remains clean and tidy and that you follow all relevant protocols. Getting the dojo into its current condition took a lot of hard work and special thanks must go to the whole Lotter family (who worked night and day throughout the renovation period), Sensei John Barker, Sempai Dinei Daneris and Student David Milner.

We are planning a number of exciting events for the second half of this year and are focusing strongly on preparing for our senior grading scheduled for early December 2020. I give all candidates fair warning that this will be a very tough grading and that the highest standard is expected. Unless you are fully prepared you will not pass. Those of you who will be attempting to grade to Shodan will be judged not only on your performance on the day (which will have to be of the highest calibre), but on your day-to-day training from now until the actual grading. Training only once or twice a week will definitely not suffice.

One of the things that we did during the lock-down period was to do some work on the syllabus (Password: MasOyama) and training videos (Password: karatenorthbondi) in the members’ section of our website. I strongly recommend that you take advantage of these instructional videos and that you also use the website to increase your general knowledge of our style and our school.

OSU!