What is there to say? That I met great students? That we created wonderful friendships? That for a few days we were able to cultivate the Okinawa martial arts dream into a reality? That the Okinawa teachers were real? That martial arts training and philosophy bridged the gap between the ‘ordinary’ and the ‘great’? That the training, no matter how difficult, brought excitement and gave meaning to our existence?
There was always time to discuss fine technical points. Left: Vladimir Sitnik Sensei from Sverdlovsk Region. Right: Alexander (Sasha) Gendrikson Sensei from Kaliningrad. Sasha developed into a successful promoter, propagator and instructor of Okinawa Goju Ryu throughout Russia. For me it was simple: I was given the opportunity to sweat together with Russian people who loved and practiced the same things that I also loved. I went to Tomsk in order to find out what was it that contributed to Russian athletic prowess. When I left I was certain that there were no secret routes to success; except, endless hours of repetitions, determination, dedication, excellent teachers and coaches, and the single minded drive to do better each time.
Nothing was left to speculation; every technical detail was discussed. I wish all the members well, continued growth, and one day to once again share hours of sweating and training together. For martial artists it is the greatest avenue to lasting friendships.
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