Navroji Gamadia Road resident Sensei Rajesh Thakkar, a prominent figure in Karate-Do, has returned to India after an enriching month-long training experience in Okinawa, Japan. This remarkable journey was made possible through a personal invitation from Supreme Grand Master Hanshi Sensei Morio Higaonna, Founder of TOGKF (Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation) Goju Ryu an iconic name in the world of Karate-do.
Sensei Thakkar embarked on this training expedition with enthusiasm, dedicating himself to rigorous training and discipline under the guidance of the legendary Sensei Morio Higaonna. Alongside, he received valuable insights and mentorship from other distinguished Goju-Ryu Instructors, including Sensei Yonekaju Uehara, Sensei Masakazu Khuramoto, Yoshinori Yonesato, and Sensei Shinya.
During his month-long training, Sensei Thakkar met and took advise from Sensei Genku Sato, Sensei Kazuo Terauchi, Sensei Bakkies Laubscher, Sensei Joseph Tait, Sensei Chinen Hiroshi, Sensei Gibo (Kobudo Master), Sensei Shigetoshi Senaha, Sensei Sakumoto, Sensei Tsuneo Kinjo, Sensei Patrick McCarty, Sensei Johanes Wong, Sensei Masaaki Ikemiyagi, Sensei Fumiyaki Ota, Sensei Dan Antosen, Sensei Miguel Daluze, Sensei Vakos Igor, Sensei Luis Nunez, Sensei Martin, and his friend, Kaori San.
Sensei Thakkar expressed his deep gratitude for the experiences and interaction with each of these masters of Karate-do. Sensei Thakkar also extended his sincerest gratitude to each member of the TOGKF team for their unwavering support and guidance during his stay in Okinawa. Sensei Morio Higaonna’s warm hospitality and dedication to training left a lasting impression on Sensei Thakkar.
As a token of his appreciation, Sensei Higaonna bestowed upon Sensei Thakkar the gift of His own black belt – a symbol of trust, respect& achievement in the Karate-do field.
During his visit to Okinawa, Sensei Thakkar had the privilege of meeting Olympic champion Ryo Kiyona & his esteemed teacher Sensei Sakamoto. This encounter enriched the experience.
Sensei Thakkar extends his heartfelt gratitude to Vishwambar das-ji for graciously hosting him in Tokyo during his journey.
Before embarking on this transformative journey, Sensei Thakkar sought the blessings of his revered mentors, including Sensei Pervez Mistry, Sensei Burge Cooper, and Sensei Shyam Kotak. It is their blessings that have made this trip truly successful.
Sensei Rajesh Thakkar’s return from Okinawa marks not only a personal achievement but also a testament to his commitment to the art of Karate-do and his continuous quest for excellence in the field of Karate-do. His experiences and knowledge gained during this journey are sure to inspire and benefit the Karate-do community in India and beyond.
