Rakoto John

Rakoto John Sensei

羅琴恕恩

President of International Shitoryu Karatedo Kenshikai Mizuguchi Hirofumi Sensei's "uchi deshi"Yoshukan Kenshikai Honbu Dojo memberTechnical Director of Kenshikan Honbu DojoTechnical Director of Union Shitoryu Karatedo Kenshikai MadagascarShitokai Representative for Madagascar

Rakoto John Sensei was born on March 22, 1967 in Antananarivo Madagascar (Indian Ocean). He began practicing Karatedo in 1974 with his brother. He also practiced Judo and Kendo at school. Devoted to traditional Shitoryu Karatedo, Rakoto Sensei passes his knowledge on, in a spirit of mutual respect, exchange and conviviality. Established in France, Aquitaine region for over 30 years, his brother opened a family Dojo in 1987.

During his stay in Japan in 1992, Soke Mabuni introduced him to Shihan Hirofumi Mizuguchi, one of his disciples with whom Soke Mabuni started learning karatedo from his father, Ryuso Mabuni Kenwa. Since then, a strong bond and collaboration has developed between them to promote traditional Shitoryu Karatedo outside Japan. Thus, Rakoto Sensei became Shihan Mizuguchi's first "gaijin" (foreigner) student.

Rakoto Sensei at Kenshikai Honbu with Shihan Mizuguchi HirofumiTakatsuki 1992

Shihan Mizuguchi Hirofumi during his seminar at Madagascar

Rakoto Sensei was the pioneer of Shitoryu Karatedo in Madagascar where he founded his organisation in 1996 - Union Shitoryu Karatedo Kenshikai Madagascar (USKM). Thus, Malagasy karateka were the first to receive Kenshikai teachings and Shihan Mizuguchi gave his first seminar in Antananarivo in 1999.

Sensei Rakoto John with his two senior USKM instructors

Shihan Mizuguchi Hirofumi offering the "kanban" of ISKK to Sensei Rakoto John to make foundation of the association official

In 2012, Rakoto Sensei celebrated the 20th Anniversary of collaboration with Kenshikai Honbu Dojo in Japan. In June 2012, to express his gratitude, and to Shihan Mizuguchi's greatest pleasure, he founded the Association "International Shitoryu Karatedo Kenshikai" (ISKK), in order to share with an even greater number of karateka the values and practice of traditional Shitoryu Karatedo to preserve the heritage of the Mabuni family.

ISKK functions like Kenshikai in Japan, both in structure and in tranining syllabus. To read more about ISKK, please click *here*.

Naranu Kannin Suruga Kannin.

"The real challenge is to push away our own limits."

Japanese proverb

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