Dear Chief Instructors, Sensei's and Karate family,

Just over 80 days to go until the European Gasshuku 2026 kicks off. We are looking forward to a week full of karate, energy, inspiration, enriching knowledge, and of course reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. All preparations have been made to ensure the event becomes a great success.

Sadly it is not feasibly to organise a children's daycare during the Gasshuku. We do have 3 children classes each day, please see the program.

Online Registration

 At the moment, there are already more than 250 registrations. This is already a wonderful number. But we still have plenty of space to train, learn, inspire and have fun. So don't hesitate and sign up for this amazing event. We use a ticket selling platform (Weeztix) which facilitates all general forms of online payment. It enables you to easily enter all required data and buy the tickets you need.

Workshops

Below you will find a variety of workshops there is surely one that suits you. The workshops take place at the Gasshuku location.

Monday 27-7-2026

14:30 – 16:00 Workshop “Judo”

Topic: Judo in Goju Ryu Karate

Throws, Balance Breaking and Close-Range Control

Instructor: Sensei Rudi van Hemert, 4th Dan and Sensei Margit de Voogd, Dutch Judo Champion

We are excited to invite you to a specialized workshop focused on Judo in Goju Ryu Karate, designed for practitioners who want to expand their skills by integrating effective grappling and throwing principles into their karate.

Monday 27-7-2026

16:00 – 18:00 Workshop “Zen and Karate” 

Topic: Zen and Martial Arts

Instructor: Sensei Paolo Taigō Spongia, 8th Dan, Zen monk and Zen master

We are pleased to invite you to a unique workshop offering an Introduction to Zazen, exploring the practice of Zazen and the connection between Zen practice and martial arts.

Tuesday 28-7-2026

15:00 – 17:00 Workshops “Newaza/Grappling”

Topic: Quick takedown to submission and defense from being locked in a dominant Position

Instructor: Sensei Gerd Richter, 7th Dan and Sensei Jan Stolz, 7th Dan

We are excited to invite you to a specialized workshop focused on Groundwork in
Karate, designed for practitioners who want to expand their skills beyond
standing techniques.

15:00 – 17:00 Workshop “Wendo”

Topic: Aspects and Principles of (Teaching) Self-Defense for Women
Instructors: Luna Heider, 3rd Dan and Arantxa Ferre Leza, 5th Dan

We are pleased to invite you to a practical and empowering workshop focused on Self-Defense for Women, combining technical skills with awareness and teaching principles.

Thursday 30-7-2026

15:00 – 16:30 Workshop “Shiatsu”

Topic: Introduction to Shiatsu

Instructor: Jaana Siltasalmi

We are delighted to invite you to a relaxing and practicalworkshop introducing Shiatsu Massage on a Regular Chair.

15:00 – 16:30 Workshop “Women Only Session”

Topic: Women’s Karate Training

Instructor: Sensei Linda Marchant, 8th Dan

We are pleased to invite you to a special Karate Workshop for Women, focusing on both traditional practice and a strong sense of connection and support among participants.

You can register for the workshops Here.

Line-Up Instructors
For this Gasshuku, we have been able to assemble a fantastic line-up of instructors. We are excited about the new insights they will bring and the inspiration they will give us.

Recently, the last two instructors were revealed. You can read more about the background of our instructors through our social media channels.

We have 12 fantastic instructors for you:

1. Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura, 8^th dan, World Chief Instructor, Chief Instructor Canada

2. Sensei Ernie Molineux, 9^th dan, Chief Instructor Engeland

3. Sensei Henrik Larsen, 8^th dan, Chief Instructor Denemarken

4. Sensei Jorge Monteiro, 8^th dan, Chief Instructor Portugal

5. Sensei Luis Nunes, 8^th dan, Chief Instructor Spanje

6. Sensei Roy Flat, 8^th dan, Senior Instructor, Engeland

7. Sensei Paul Nolan, 8^th dan, Senior Instructor, Engeland

8. Sensei Linda Marchant, 8^th dan, Senior Instructor, Engeland

9. Sensei Brit Knude, 8^th dan, Senior Instructor, Denemarken

10. Sensei Torben Svendsen, 8^th dan, member IOGKF Technical Committee, Senior Instructor, Denemarken

11. Sensei Paolo Taigo Spongia, 8^th dan, Chief Instructor Italië, member IOGKF Technical Committee

12. Sensei Sydney Leijenhorst, 7th dan, Chief Instructor Nederland, coordinator IOGKF Technical Committee

More information about our line-up can be found on our Facebook page.

Best regards,

Niek Hermsen

Organisation European Gasshuku 2026

Please check our website to stay informed: www.europeangasshuku.com

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