The 8th Budo Gym Napoca (BGN) seminar took place from Friday, April 4th, to Sunday, April 6th, 2025, in the picturesque town of Toplita, Romania. Organized by Sensei Viorel Tatar, 4th DAN Kyokushinkai Kan, the event brought together a diverse group of karate enthusiasts from across Romania and beyond.
This year’s seminar welcomed Shihan Edi Gabathuler, an 8th DAN black belt from Switzerland, as the guest instructor. A seasoned martial artist, Shihan Gabathuler led participants through an intensive series of training sessions that focused on the core principles of Kyokushinkai karate. The seminar, which attracted 68 karatekas from Cluj-Napoca, Patra Niamt, Sibiu, Alba Iulia, Iasi, and Bacau, was hosted at the Banffy guesthouse. Outdoor training was held on a spacious tennis court, providing an ideal environment for intense physical activity.
Over the weekend, participants honed their skills in various areas of karate. The training sessions covered kihon (basic techniques), sanbonkumite (three-step sparring), weapons training with tonfa and knife, combat training, and full-contact fighting. These sessions were designed to challenge participants’ technical abilities and deepen their understanding of martial arts.
The seminar was not just about physical training but also about fostering camaraderie within the martial arts community. On Saturday evening, the attendees came together to enjoy a lively Sayonara party, marking the end of the event with socializing, laughter, and celebrations. It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old friends and forge new relationships, as karate practitioners from four different organizations were represented: Kyokushinkai Kan, the International Federation of Karate (IFK), Ashihara, and Isshin-Ryu.
As the event concluded, participants departed with a renewed sense of dedication to their martial arts journey, having gained new insights, techniques, and friendships. The 8th BGN Seminar in Toplita not only served as a platform for personal growth but also as a reminder of the enduring power of martial arts to unite people across cultures and disciplines.
OSU!
