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Rokudan promotions
June 14th 2009.  By Roger Sheldon, Chairman of the OMAA
 

“Today is a special day...

Not only because of the events that have taken place here already, or that will be taking place during the remainder of the weekend in respect of the training programme. 

Today is also special because I have some very important awards to make. 

These awards are made to those who have shown exceptional dedication to their chosen martial arts for many years.  They have shown a deep sense of loyalty to the OMAA since its inception and have brought new skills and learning into the association.  They have shown enterprise, selflessness, consistency and skill, these attributes are also reflected in their students.  They have, through their dedication, brought the art of Karate to a wider public.

As Chairman of the Okinawan Martial Arts Association, it is my great pleasure to make these honorary awards.

Gavin Mulholland:  Rokudan (award of certificate)

Daniel Lewis:  Rokudan (award of certificate)

Kevin Buxey: Rokudan (award of certificate)

Congratulations and thank you for your support.”

Much applause from those gathered.

Gavin Mulholland, Kevin Buxey and Daniel Lewis shihan
 

So came about a very rare, indeed unprecedented occasion in the history of the OMAA.  We stood in 'The Field of Truth' at Glenny Wood, Clapton-In-Gordano, Bristol among the many Daigaku Karate Kai members and friends gathered there, shortly after two yudansha had fought valiantly through the thirty man kumite to achieve nidan rank and when it’s principal yudansha Gavin Mulholland shihan and Dan Lewis shihan along with Kevin Buxey shihan of Eastpoint Goju-Ryu Karate Club of Southampton were awarded the 6th dan (rokudan) rank.
 
These awards were not given lightly.  For two years before the event, and since I had taken over as Chairman of the OMAA from Rick Woodhams shihan, I had been watching and noting the activities of these three gifted martial artists very carefully.  I had visited them at their dojo or gasshuku.  What I saw was an exceptional level of ability, understanding and dedication, not only in the three recipients, but also their students for their respective levels.  Despite the physically hard and demanding training, there is always a high level of safety awareness.  What is most revealing is the depth of regard these instructors have for their students wellbeing.  I witnessed incidents and private conversations where the depth of their concern and regard for their students left me in no doubt that they put their students before themselves and have a deep level of compassion and care.  There is not a hint of arrogance in these instructors.  It is absolutely clear that they are of good heart and spirit and live their Karate.  As Tejunsoku said in the 17th century "No matter how you may excel in the fighting traditions and in your scholastic endeavours, nothing is more important than your behaviour and your humanity as practiced in daily life."
 
Gavin, Dan and Kevin shihan are a credit to the Okinawan Martial Arts Association and I am honoured and indeed very fortunate to have them as leading members of this group and of the OMAA Technical Committee. 
 
Gavin Mulholland shihan began training at an early age alongside his brothers under the tutelage of their father who was teaching Judo and unarmed combat in the British Forces throughout the 1960s.  After witnessing a demonstration of Goju Ryu by Kim Roberts Kyoshi in the late 1970s he became an immediate convert.

Gavin travelled extensively throughout Asia experiencing a wide diversity of Martial arts.  However, as an holistic fighting art, Goju already incorporates elements from virtually every other fighting system and Gavin has remained within the Goju framework.

Gavin is a member of the Combat Hall of Fame, and was awarded the rank of Godan in 2002 by the one-time student of Ei'ichi Miyazato, Shihan Rick Woodhams.  Kyoshi Kim of the Sobo Bugei No Kai subsequently awarded him the title 'Shihan'.

Gavin spent many years on the door and was a regular instructor for Meido Ltd, a company specialising in door supervisor, security and close protection.  He made TV and film appearances, published regular articles and wrote the highly acclaimed Four Shades of Black.

He is Chief Instructor of Daigaku Karate Kai alongside Dan Lewis shihan of Bristol Combat Goju Ryu and is also a regular on the UK MMA scene with his team DKK Fighters who compete successfully in Cage Rage, Ultimate Challenge, and BAMMA.  One student even made it as far as the UFC.

 
 
Kevin Buxey sensei started his martial arts training with Kim Roberts shihan back in the 1970’s; he obtained all grades up to Sandan under guidance of Roberts shihan who was his Chief Instructor up until 1993.  Kevin achieved Yondan in 1995 and on September 2003 attended an OMAA examination and was awarded Godan by Rick Woodhams shihan (Chairman of the Okinawan Martial Arts Association at the time).  Kevin has spent his martial arts career studying the art of Goju-Ryu he has also studied M.F.S. (Modern Fighting System) obtaining Nidan with Kim Roberts shihan and Sensei Dave Arnold shihan.  He has regular contact with Rick Woodhams shihan (Okinawan Martial Arts Association and International Okinawan Bugeikai) and with Gavin Mulholland sensei of Daigaku Karate Club (London) another exposé of Goju-Ryu whom he had trained with for a number of years, and still trains with on occasion and with whom he has competed with and against on many occasions in places like Luton, Chester, Wrexham, Liverpool, and the Isle of Wight.  He was also invited to fight with the Scottish Shotokan squad under the International Bukonkai Karate Association with the late Colin Williams sensei.  Kevin sensei also teaches on the alcohol awareness seminars organised by the Hampshire constabulary awareness team, and has taught self defence in schools for Hampshire county council.  He also gets invited to Daigaku summer school every year to teach.  Buxey sensei has also been invited to attend grading examinations for various clubs and has also trained in Yawara Atemi and basic Shiatsu.
 

 

Daniel Lewis shihan began his training in Kyokushinkai Karate in the early 1980s and continued his training with Bryan Dowler shihan, Bernerd Creten sensei and Albert Burton sensei when they formed the British Karate Jutsu Renmei.  During this time he also trained in Muay Thai.  This he continued to train in until he moved to Bristol to study.  Lewis sensei continued his Kyokushin training for a number of years whilst in Bristol, during this time he also trained in Ju Jutsu.

Dan partnered up with Stuart Gent sensei who was training in a derivative of Okinawan Goju Ryu under Nick Hughes sensei.

Having a solid grounding in hard martial arts Dan found that there was a lot lacking in his training, and found that though Kyokushin was an excellent hard system it lacked the self defence aspect, and the Ju Jitsu system was not applied enough for real confrontation.  Both Dan and Stuart were likeminded in their thoughts on martial arts and wanted a system that encompassed real training methods that would generate their desired effects.

Crossing over to Okinawan Goju Ryu was a natural progression, where Dan joined up with Gavin Mulholland shihan under the guidance of Kim Roberts shihan  and David Arnold shihan.  This was a system that utilises both hard karate and softer throwing, ground work and joint manipulation techniques as well as weapons.  The renowned martial artist Mr Steve Morris, whom he trained with for a number of years had a profound affect on Dan's karate.

Daniel has trained within various systems such as Mugendo Kick Boxing, Muay Thai, Kyokushinkai Karate, Arnis, Ju Jutsu, M.F.S. (Modern Fighting System), Wing Chun and other Gung Fu systems, he has also taught a number of seminars to the T.A., and has also worked as a doorman for a number of years in Bristol, running a security business for nearly 20 years.   Dan has competed in full contact events in karate and Arnis; and having competed in a number of British events became a Bristish Champion, leading to being

 invited to be part of the English squad in 2000, when he travelled to the Philippines to fight in the eskrima World Championships where he became a world Silver medalist.  However, as Goju Ryu is such a complete system much is already in with in the Goju Ryu frame work which he teaches to date.  Dan is Principal Instructor with Gavin Mulholland sensei London jointly running Daigaku Karate Kai - Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate.

Daniel sensei continues to explore Goju and other martial arts.  He teaches a number of adult clubs in Bristol and also childrens clubs.  He has over the last number of years been travelling around the country running seminars and also exploring and writing a book on 'Sanchin'.