The GKI Winter Gasshuku was hosted in Birmingham and was very well attended with over 100 students from Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Sweden and the UK. Sensei James Rousseau, Sensei Antonio Moreira and Sensei Pete Thompson heading up the sessions and passing on their knowledge to the students. The first day was split between basics, moving basics and some ippon kumite. The second day was dedicated to katas from Gekisia Dai Ichi to Seisan and then there were the black belt gradings. Sunday was split into kobudo taken by Sensei Pete, and kumite taken by Sensei Antonio.

The Sayonara party was well attended, the food was good and the dancing went on well into the night. Three people achieved their gradings, Siluni got here 1st dan, Derek got his 3rd dan and Jervice got his 5th dan, very well done to everyone who graded.

Students from the Birmingham dojo were well represented through out the three days and everyone enjoyed their training very much.