From September 20 to 24, Toshihiro Mori (8th dan), a highly rated Japanese karate instructor will preside over a training workshop in Kigali. This will be his second such trip in the country after the first in June 2015 when Rwanda became a member of the Japan Karate Association (JKA), one of the most influential and oldest karate organizations in the world. The JKA specializes in Shotokan Karate style. “He [Mori] is the boss of the Japan Karate Association; the Vatican of karate technique. It will be an exceptional honor for Rwanda karate to have him here again,” said Theogene Uwayo, president of the Rwanda Karate Federation (FERWAKA). During his upcoming karate seminar in Kigali, Mori will again be accompanied and assisted by Kamino Masaru (7th dan) and Dr. Harano Kazuyoshi (4th dan). Another member of his visiting party in 2015, Kasijiima Keiichi (seventh Dan), the former JKA representative in Luxembourg and Belgium, passed on months after his first Rwanda visit. Back in 2015, besides seeing several Karatekas promoted, Mori also awarded the late John Sayinzoga [RIP] his sixth Dan, Rwanda’s highest so far. It was an honorary award, Toshihiro said, was for Sayinzoga’s assistance and promotion of the martial arts sport in Rwanda. Toshihiro is a Japanese master of the Shotokan style of karate, who has previously won the JKA’s version of the world championships for kumite (fighting) as well as the JKA All-Japan championships for kumite on two occasions, among his numerous accomplishments. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
