Kata Training Seminar with Shihan Howard Collins (7dan) and Shihan Furko
Kalman (6dan)- Romania, Baia Mare  29.04 – 01.05.2004

For three days the instructors of the Romanian Federation Kyokushin Karate and the members of the Romanian Kata-Team which will represent Romania at the European Championship in Bulgaria attended a kata training seminar under the guidance of Shihan Howard Collins (7dan) from Sweden and Shihan Furko Kalman (6dan) from Hungary.
During the 5 training sessions the leading shihans reviewed all the kyokushin katas including the Ura form of the Pinan Katas. Shihan Collins had a very interesting teaching method. In the first few repetitions of each kata shihan tried to correct the technical mistakes, while in the next repetitions he split the kata into fragments trying to transmit the rhythm of each kata. In the end, both the form and the rhythm of the kata were combined. Both shihans emphasized the content, the substance of katas, the fact that a kata beside the form has to express something. They tried to transmit the feeling of fighting in the katas using bunkai, and explaining the techniques.
The participants practiced individually and in small groups receiving advice and edifying answers for their questions. The instructors and members of the kata team were able to clarify any aspect of the katas with the help of two of the most famous kyokushin technicians in the world. At the end of the seminar shihan Howard Collins expressed his positive opinion regarding the development of the Romanian kyokushin and said that he will return every time he will be invited.