The GKI – Goju-Ryu Karate-Do International – was founded in 1994 by the famous South African instructor, Sensei James Rousseau.

We provide our members with the highest level of instruction in the traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do of Chojun Miyagi. We achieve excellence in our instructors through our training, coaching and refereeing courses as well as participating in the English Karate Governing Body. Our principles include respect for the individual, recognition of effort and attainment, and our instructors are committed to providing the high moral and ethical standards. Regular courses are held to teach, improve standards, develop coaching skills, encourage successful competition karate and conduct black belt gradings. Courses are structured round our grading syllabus.

The GKI Badge

The badge expresses symbolicaly the roots of the GKI and the nature of our style. The offset circle shape is reminiscent of the Okinawan prefecture logo.

The central square shape reflects hard, strong, direct techniques and is a stylised Kanji “Go” character (Go – hard). The circle represents subtle, yeilding, turning, “soft” techniques (Ju – Soft). The “Go” is surrounded by the “Ju”, in a simple shape, emphasising that good karate training will develop our characters to have a gentle, flexible exterior built around inner strength, determination, honesty and clarity.

We welcome members who aspire to meet our standards and who will actively participate in a friendly democratic associations. We have links with other Goju Ryu organisations around the world, and have member dojos in Birmingham, Chelmsford, Chichester, Maidstone, Oxford, Sheffield, South London, Wokingham, Weymouth and a number in Sweden.