KATA AND BASICS DVDS ARRIVE - ONLY 2 YEARS LATE...

Despite being promised before the last GKR world cup, the long-awaited, and all-new GKR kata DVDs have finally arrived. They are currently selling in Australia and New Zealand, but are expected in the UK within the month. American versions will doubtless take another two years as they need to be converted to the US NTSC video standard. Americans with computers will be able to play the Australian/British PAL versions straight away.

There are currently 4 DVDs in the set.


The first one is Basics, and it covers strikes, blocks, kicks and stances. It's narrated by Kancho and demonstrated by Sensei Gavin Samin.

The remaining thre DVDs each contain 3 kata on each, and run for about 1 hour each.

Number 1 - 1st and 2nd kata, and Saifa

Number 2 - Bassai Dai, Seiunchin, and Empi

Number 3 - Sanseryu, Sepai, and Hangetsu


All three kata DVDs are demonstrated by Shihan Stacy. Out of respect, for Kancho Shihan is classed as GKR's assistant chief instructor, but he teaches most of the highest grades, and senseis, and is GKR's most accomplished martial artist, making these DVDs the definitive performance reference for each of these kata.

The production values are fantastic, but they're a little light on bunkai, and there really is no meaningfull excuse why, with over 50,000 active students, the DVDs took so very, very, very long to produce.


Although Shihan has produced a further less polished DVD containing a number of black belt kata, this is only available to Regional instructors, and will not be available for purchase by class senseis or students. Commercial DVDs covering the remaining 7 kata may eventually arrive, but as they have neither been scripted nor filmed yet, they are unlikely to arrive soon enough for anyone's next grade.

Comprehensive reviews of the DVDs are in the Reviews section