Inducted into the A.M.A.H.O.F.(Inc) for 2002
Okinawan Goju Ryu Instructor of the Year
Inducted into the W.K.U.H.O.F. for 2002
Okinawan Goju Ryu Instructor of the Year
Organisation Name : New Zealand Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Association
Martial Arts Style : Karate
Main Country of Origin : Japan
Experience : Total Years : 32 years martial arts, Judo 1 year, Karate 31 years.
Teaching Time : 26 years
Own Dojo Time : 24 years
Gradings Held : 8th Dan Okinawa, Japan (Goju Ryu), 8th Dan World Karate Federation, 8th Dan Karate New Zealand.
Technique/Art Form Review : Teaching Ability
Record of Past Teachers : Eichi Miyazato 10th Dan.
Current Teachers : Iha Sensei 10th Dan Chairman Jundokan, Yasuda Sensei 10th Dan.
Competition Role / Official : Referee
Competition Record : Bronze Medal, World Goju Ryu Karate Champs, Japan, Kumite – Silver Medal, Tokyo All Styles Champs, 1978, Kumite – 1985 NZ Champion Kumite – 4 x NZ National Kata Champion (UNZKO).
Overseas Experience : Japan, Okinawa, China. Trained in Japan 1977 (first time). Since then trained in Japan more than 25 times. Trained in Fuchow, China, 1988. Have taught and conducted Seminars in Hong Kong, USA, South Africa, Japan, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Spain, Greece, Canada, Denmark, France, Brazil. Taught two times in Russia. Current NZ National Coach, Karate New Zealand.
Teaching Involvement : 3 Nights/week.
Current Titles Held or Used : Shihan, Kyoshi, Master.
Shihan Dennis May
Shihan Dennis May is the Chief Instructor for the New Zealand Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Association (NZOGKA). He is responsible for the technical standards of Goju Ryu Karate and regularly travels throughout New Zealand, Australasia and the rest of the world conducting training seminars and gradings. Each year he travels to Okinawa for training with the Okinawan Masters. His major achievement was in 1978, a Silver Medal in the All Style Tokyo Championships. He later captained the NZ team to Japan where he won a Bronze Medal. He has been three times New Zealand Champion and has held numerous Australasian titles.
Dennis May retired from competition in 1989 to concentrate on his responsibilities as Chief Instructor and over recent years has become a popular Instructor in many countries including America, Russia, South Africa and Australia. In 1979 Shihan May became one of the few Karate-Ka in the world to succcessfully accomplish the 100 man Kumite, free fighting 100 opponents one after the other. In 1999 he travelled to Okinawa and graded 8th degree black belt. Sensei Dennis May is the only 8th degree black belt in the Australasian region, (in his system).
Dennis is a Board Member of the New Zealand Sokeship Council. At the 2002 Awards Event he will be inducted into the New Zealand, Australasian, and World Karate Union Hall of Fame.