Michael Mortimer started karate training at the age of five, but it wasn’t long before his interest turned to Kobudo, an ancient form of martial arts in the Okinawan-weapon style.
Now, at the age of 26, Mortimer, who is the first person in Australia to be accepted into the International Organisation for Kubodo, has started classes in the traditional Okinawan style of Kobudo at Niagara Park Public School.
Okinawa is a small island off Japan whose inhabitants developed a style of martial arts using farming implements including gardening hoes and boat oars to protect themselves.
“I started training not long after I began karate and just kept it going,” Mortimer said.
He has now been invited to Italy at the end of the year to train for two weeks with Andrea Guarelli, president of the international organisation, who trained in Okinawa for many years.
Mortimer trains with him fortnightly currently via zoom and will be attempting to gain a higher grading during his training sessions in Italy.
“This is a lifelong passion of mine, and I am very excited to be a part of the International Matayoshi Kobudo Association (IMKA),” Mortimer said.
“And I’m very excited to share it with the Central Coast community.”
Classes at Niagara Park began in early August.
Anyone interested in finding out more can contact him at michaelmortimerkobudo@hotmail.com or call 0429 200 707.
Source:
CCN
Awesome classes, invaluable traditional Matayoshi Kobudo knowledge… very affordable too!