Sensei Leo LIPINSKI

剛柔会 Leo Lipinski Kyoshi

  • 1946 - Present

    Born in South Africa, Leo Lipinski - Kyoshi, is the highest Graded non-Japanese of the JKF Gojukai in the world today holding the grade of 7th Dan - JKF Gojukai and 8th Dan Gojuryu Karatedo Seiwakai. He actively and extensively teaches and travels to seminars to spread Gojuryu Karatedo. To date he organizes and teaches seminars usually twice a year in various locations in Europe together with Japanese instructors as well as trains annually and sometimes twice per year in Japan [since circa 1960 to date]. Teaches independently a minimum of 20 seminars annually in various countries including Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia and Africa. See the following outline for his specific Biography / Curriculum Vitae:

  • 1946 Autust - Born in Durban South Africa.
  • 1962 - Began training in Judo and Shotokan Karatedo in Durban South Africa.
  • Early years of Karatedo training included a variety of Martial Arts from teachers he met on cargo and fishing boats from Japan, Okinawa and Korea.
  • He continued his training in Cape Town while attending University studies and through additional sailors he could find.
  • 1965 - Began training in Shukokia Shitoryu Karatedo.
  • 1966 - Acquired Bachelor of Economics from South Africa University.
  • 1966 - Opened a Dojo in South Africa which would later become the first Karate Club to teach non-Whites.
  • 1967 - Trained Gojuryu Karatedo in Hong Kong and there-after in Kobe Japan with Chojiro Tani head of Shukokai Shitoryu Karatedo.
  • 1967 - Began training with Gogen Yamaguchi in Zen Nippon Gojukai Gojuryu Karatedo [concurrently with Shukokai Shitoryu Karatedo] and continued with Yamaguchi through-out the 1970's.
  • 1968 - Graded to Ni Dan by Gogen Yamaguchi in Tokyo Japan.
  • 1968 to 1982 - Appointed as the First Representative for the All Japan Karatedo Gojukai in South Africa.
  • 1968 - Formerly resigned from the Shukokai Shitoryu Karatedo organization.
  • 1968 - Established a relationship with Shuji Tasaki Sensei whom at that time was a student of Gogen Yamaguchi.
  • 1969 - Appointed Branch Representative for the All Japan Karate-do Gojukai in South Africa.
  • 1970 - Obtained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Natal University, South Africa.
  • 1970 - Appointed Chief Instructor South Africa, All Japan Karatedo Gojukai.
  • 1974 - Began training at the Seiwakai Gojuryu Karatedo Dojo of Shuji Tasaki Sensei whom at that time was still part of the All Japan Karatedo Gojukai.
  • 1976 - Graded to 5th Dan by Gogen Yamaguchi under the All Japan Karatedo Gojukai.
  • 1982 - Bachelor of Science, S.A.M.R.A University, California, USA.
  • 1983 - Acquired Bachelor of Science & Acupuncture from the S.A.M.R.A University in California.
  • 1983 - Certified Acupuncturist in California USA.
  • 1984 - Appointed one [1] of three [3] Cheif Instructors for the International Karatedo Gojukai Association [IKGA] under the guidance of Gogen Yamaguchi.
  • 1987 - Resigned from the All Japan Karatedo Gojukai, now known as the the International Karatedo Gojukai Association IKGA.
  • Joined Tasaki Shuji’s Goju-ryu Karate-do Seiwa Kai Organization and the JKF Gojukai.
  • 1987 - Appointed Chief Instructor and President of Seiwa Kai Great Britain. Of note; Seiwakai existed in South Africa since 1973.
  • 1987 - Appointed Goju-ryu Karate-do Seiwakai representative for Great Britain.
  • 1987 - Graded to 6th Dan SeiwakaiGojuryu Karatedo .
  • 1993 - Gradeed to 7th Dan - Seiwakai Gojuryu Karatedo.
  • 1993 - Awarded title of Renshi, JKF Gojukai.
  • 1993 - Active Member of the JKF Gojukai Examining Panel to the grade of 5th Dan.
  • 1993 - Acquired to Grading Examiner of the JKF Gojukai to the grade of 5th Dan.
  • 1998 - Organized the JKF Gojukai Europe.
  • 1998 - Member of the EKGB Management Board.
  • 1999 - Graded to 7th Dan - JKF Gojukai.
  • 2002 - Acquired to Shihan Menkyo license of Kyoshi; JKF Gojukai.
  • 2005 May - Appointed as the first [and only] Gaijin to the Board of Director of the JKF Gojukai.
  • 2005 June - Graded to 8th Dan Seiwakai Gojuryu Karatedo.

    Other credits include:

  • Highest Graded non-Japanese JKF Gojukai Member outside of Japan.
  • Highest Graded non-Japanese Seiwakai Gojuryu Karatedo Member outside of Japan.
  • Holds the position of President of the JKF Gojukai for all of All Europe and as such position requires organizes seminars commonly two times per year various locations throughout Europe and the Americas with Japan based instructors.
  • Effective Senior for Gojuryu Karatedo Seiwakai outside of Japan.
  • Attends annual training in Japan since the late 1960's.
  • Is most responsible for the spread of and Gojuryu Karatedo Seiwakai throughout the 90's to present.
  • Extensive training in Tai Chi Chuan and various Chinese Martial Ars.
  • Trained in Boxing for five years in California including at times, the Mohammed Ali Boxing Club in Santa Monica California.

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    Sensei Leo LIPINSKI

    President JKF Gojukai Europe