Derek James English.

 I began IOGKF Goju-Ryu karate in 1986, under NZ martial arts legend Terry Hill, upon entering the University of Waikato in Hamilton City, New Zealand. I successfully represented both the dojo and the University of Waikato in numerous sport karate, full contact karate, kickboxing, sumo, and mixed martial arts competition. In 1991, invaluable instruction and dedication to training resulted in the passing of my karate Nidan grading, representing NZ Goju-Ryu in Okinawa at the IOGKF Goju-Ryu Karate Conference in the heavy weight full contact 'iri kumi' karate event, being selected to represent the NZ Universities Karate Team, and receiving the Waikato University Sportsman of the Year award.

Travelling to Okinawa in 1991 inspired me to return there in 1992 to live and train. Long friend and representative for IOGKF Goju-Ryu karate Higaonna Morio Sensei, Kamimura Takeshi Sensei introduced me to one of his mentors, Uehara Ko Sensei of the Okinawa Goju-Ryu Preservation Society and the Ryukyu Kobudo Preservation and Promotion Society. I spent the following twelve years as a disciple of Grandmaster Uehara learning traditional Goju-Ryu training methods and applications along with the combative use of traditional Okinawan weaponry. During this time also, I was fortunate to meet, speak, and train with many great martial arts teachers and their students, instruct visitors from other countries in karate and Kobudo, represent Uehara dojo and international martial arts events and in the Naha Festival Parade, as well as take part in the wealth that is Okinawa's cultural heritage. I was also fortunate to have met and spend time with many wonderful people and their families and am deeply thankful for all their friendship, generosity, and advice. It was with a sad heart that I left such a wonderful place and returned to NZ.

 Upon returning to NZ in 2004 I immediately sought out my original mentor Terry Hill in order to draw upon his vast martial arts combative knowledge, experience, and resources. My martial arts journey is in its third phase and focuses on improving the training time, training method and the absorption rate of combative Goju-Ryu karate and Okinawan weaponry with emphasis on the traditional methods and motives of the founders of martial arts Kata and combative knowledge. Preserving and promoting the knowledge I received during my time in Okinawa is also a primary goal of mine, both out of respect for those who bestowed it upon me, as well as in hope that others can experience, and perhaps even rekindle, the enthusiasm one gets from practicing effective and meaningful karate and Kobudo. To date I am fortunate to have been invited to speak of and demonstrate this knowledge at martial arts seminars and conferences.

 What impresses me about the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai is that it truly is about preserving the ancient martial arts of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Even though it is a fellowship of individuals brought together to preserve the cultural knowledge and heritage that is traditional Okinawan weaponry, many members already have a martial arts background; mostly traditional Okinawan karate and with many as heads of their own dojo or organization. In coming together to practice and preserve the skills of the old weapon masters they also bring with them the knowledge, skills, and traditions of their karate masters. As such I definitely wanted to be part of a society that not only respected the efforts of the founders but also of each other. In visiting Okinawa in March of 2006, the Ryukyu Kobudo Preservation and Promotion Society granted me my Instructor's License and a New Zealand Branch Dojo License. I addition, the  Okinawa Goju-Ryu Preservation Society promoted me to Yondan.  

 I hope that through the promotion of Ryukyu Kobudo in NZ I can bring together martial arts practitioners from various genre into a like martial arts fellowship that not only preserves the knowledge, skill, and tradition of the great Okinawan weapon masters, but that also promotes the principles and ethics that are 'Budo'.