Six Jin Ryu Kan Martial Arts Academy members will represent team Australia at the Super Karate-do World Grand Prix in Okinawa next month.
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Three-time world champion and chief instructor Nick King has come out of retirement yet again to compete in the invitational competition along side his daughter Anya and son Sam, Will Cripps and Glen Innes' Nigel King and Chris Cooper.
The World Koshiki Karate-do Federation will host the knock-out style competition on August 10 and 11 at the famous Okinawa Prefecture Karate Kaikan, Okinawa.
"Okinawa is the birthplace of the system of what we follow in Karate. There's an island called Kudaka Island that we're attending workshops on before the competition takes place, it's about a 20 minute ferry ride.
"We have students who've never been on a plane who get to go overseas and practice martial arts exactly where it originated from. It'll be a spiritual journey as well as a competition experience," King said.
The system believes in protecting the target but not the weapon so you have bare knuckles and unprotected feet.
- Nick King.
All competitors have been focusing on different techniques required to use in the full-contact event. King explained the style of Karate being totally opposite to other combat sport.
He said it was originally developed off Kendo (a traditional Japanese martial art, which descended from swordsmanship and uses bamboo swords and protective armour).
"There are a lot of techniques in martial arts that are quite dangerous to apply. You can learn them but under pressure you can't use them because they're too lethal.
"Wearing a protective face mask and chest plate means you can hit hard without causing too much injury to the target. The system believes in protecting the target but not the weapon so you have bare knuckles and unprotected feet."
Around 17 in total will travel to Japan with the Australian team to experience the Super Karate-do World Grand Prix.
King highlighted three major points as to why he decided to come out of retirement for the event.
"A, because we were invited to compete, B, because it's the birthplace of what we practice and C, because I think the opportunity to fight along side my children is very special. I think everyone is really looking forward to the experience."
The event hopes to encourage young people and youth to compete at an international level, build new friendships and develop a broader understanding of other people and their cultures.
