OIKA Tactical Defence Studio

In an interview at Katsuren Castle Okinawa on the 21st of April 2017, Shihan Robert Slywa gave the following advice:

For junior belts-
“Concentrate on yourself and doing the techniques. Just work on the techniques at your best ability and keep going until you get better.”

For black belts-
“Help your lower grades, try to get them there. There’s a lot of black belts. What happens is, they get jealous of the fact there’s others coming up and they’re worried that they then might overtake them and get better than they are. It should never be the thing. Teach people as much as you can and even if they surpass you that’s great because you’re the teacher, so if you can make them better than you, you’ve succeeded.”

Quotes taken from an interview videoed by then student and now Sensei, Grant Hannaford.

Did you know we have members who travel two hours (one way) to train at TDS? That’s just how committed they are to the arts Shihan Robert Slywa brought to Australia.

Congratulations to the following Isshinryu students who successfully graded last week!

Front from left to right:

Chris-Sandan
Benjamin-Shodan Ho
Kyle-Shodan

There will be no classes on Saturday due to the King’s birthday long weekend. See you next week!

Shihan Robert Slywa is the founder of Tactical Defence Studios and OIKA-Okinawan Isshinryu Karate Association. He served in the Australian Navy from January 1964 until the end of the Vietnam War and was on active duty on the HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Sydney between the 31st of May 1965 to the 11th of June 1966. During his naval years he studied jiu jitsu and Kenpo karate. He later studied in Okinawa Isshinryu with Master Angi Ueza and Ryukonkai with Master Kotaro Iha. Shihan Slywa passed away on the 7th of May 2019 leaving his Isshinryu, Ryukyu Kobudo and Ryukonkai legacy to his students. May he always Rest In Peace. Lest we forget. 🌹

Happy 87th birthday to the founder of Ryukonkai, Grandmaster Kotaro Iha!

“You should not love to fight, but not, even for a moment, forget to prepare for fighting.”
- Miyamoto Musashi, Go rin no Sho , The Book of Five Rings, Iha’s creed.
*photo by Travel 67: Chris Willson Photography

Due to the high temperatures today, all classes are cancelled for student safety. Stay cool and hydrated. See you on the mats next week!