Karate Tournament in Okinawa, Japan

Celebrating the Success of Stacey Karetsian Shihan at the 2024 JKF GojuKai Championships

We are thrilled to share the outstanding achievement of our Chief Instructor, Stacey Karetsian Shihan, who competed in the prestigious 50th JKF GojuKai All Japan Karatedo Championships held in Okinawa, Japan, on the 17th and 18th of August, 2024. This event marked the 50th anniversary of the JKF GojuKai, making it a momentous occasion filled with top-level karate talent from around the world.

This was Stacey Shihan’s first time competing in this renowned event, specifically in the Men's 50+ Kata division. Competing on such a grand stage had been a goal he had long contemplated, and this year, he decided to take the plunge.

With 40 highly skilled competitors in his division, the challenge was formidable. Despite this, Stacey Shihan set a goal to reach the final 8—a goal that many would consider ambitious given the competition's caliber.

In the first round, Stacey Shihan delivered a powerful performance, placing equal 1st in his ring of 20 competitors. Notably, he was the first to perform, setting the bar high for those who followed. This achievement was even more remarkable as he, along with his long-time friend and colleague Rod Martin Shihan from Brisbane, were the only two international competitors to advance to the final 8.

The finals took place the following day, where once again, Stacey Shihan led the group as the first to perform. After another strong showing, he was thrilled to secure 3rd place, a truly inspiring result that reflects his dedication, skill, and years of hard work in the art of Goju Ryu Karate.

Stacey Shihan expressed his deep gratitude to the Seiwakai family and his Sensei, Fujiwara Hanshi, Chief Instructor and President of Seiwakai Goju Ryu. The support and encouragement from senior instructors and leaders around the world have been instrumental in his journey.

We at Goshukan Karate Academy ACT are incredibly proud of Stacey Shihan’s achievement. His success is not just a personal triumph but an inspiration to all of us who are part of this karate community. His commitment to continuous improvement, or Kaizen, serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved through dedication and perseverance.

Please join us in congratulating Stacey Shihan on this remarkable accomplishment! As he often reminds us, the journey in karate never truly ends, and we are excited to see where his journey will take him next.

Blog Home Ask a question