It is with great sadness that we need to announce that after a short bout with cancer John Cook who looked after this website has passed on. His main wish was that he had left something of himself behind. I told him he had. He learnt how to do this website to bring people together, he participated as an instructor at the Sth Australian Fight For Life seminar to raise money for the Cancer council. John was always active on behalf of the Szlagowski Karate Association Inc. and visited SA to teach tile breaking. In his latter years he worked as a volunteer at the Pioneer Village and even in ill health attended his club, named after his son, Sammy Roo. He will be sadly missed and I will endeavor to bring some of his thoughts to this website. For now my condolences to all those close to him
R.I.P Master John Cook.
Kym Reid
R.I.P Master John Cook.
Kym Reid
WELCOME
Many men may travel any given path, but only one can be the first to tread it.
In Australia and in Karate that man is Grandmaster Waldemar Von Szlagowski,
Father of Australian Karate.
The goal of the Szlagowski Karate Association is to preserve his legacy, a martial art born of his military combat training, developed during his time working on the Snowy River Scheme and his dedication to learning and teaching karate. This website is the first step to drawing together the many branches that have developed from the foundation of "Wally's" teachings, his principles and dedication to creating "Australian Karate".
In Australia and in Karate that man is Grandmaster Waldemar Von Szlagowski,
Father of Australian Karate.
The goal of the Szlagowski Karate Association is to preserve his legacy, a martial art born of his military combat training, developed during his time working on the Snowy River Scheme and his dedication to learning and teaching karate. This website is the first step to drawing together the many branches that have developed from the foundation of "Wally's" teachings, his principles and dedication to creating "Australian Karate".
FIRST KARATE SCHOOL IN AUSTRALIA
This is a collection of old short films put together showing the raw style of the pioneers of Australian karate taken in the 1960's featuring GM Wally.
THE JAPANESE LINK
This is an instructional 8mm movie taken in his dojo and sent to Wally by GM Yasuhiro Konishi.
Founder of Shindo Jinen Ryu Karate Jujutsu- one of the six original Karate schools formed in Japan.
GM Konishi graded Wally to Blackbelt.
Founder of Shindo Jinen Ryu Karate Jujutsu- one of the six original Karate schools formed in Japan.
GM Konishi graded Wally to Blackbelt.
THE SZLAGOWSKI SHIELD
A very young Vladamir Pijov in 1974 manufactured the Szlagowski Shield. This lists Wally and all blackbelts until space ran out on the shield in 1977.
A TASTE OF HISTORY
Below I have compiled some black and white photos of Master Konishi and Wally, also the acknowledgement of Wally's Judo Rank - from Wally's records as preparation for the story in "Australasian Fighting Arts" on his Grandmasters grading in 1992.
While this is the first time I have put them up - They are up on another site (given freely - but source not acknowledged) - however they originate from my effort and records. That was when these historic photo's were seen in public for the first time. Peter Laszlo gave his badges into my custody in 1996.
They are followed by some of our other club badges. I hope this will wet your appetite for some history of our organization.
John Cook.
Secretary S.K.A.
While this is the first time I have put them up - They are up on another site (given freely - but source not acknowledged) - however they originate from my effort and records. That was when these historic photo's were seen in public for the first time. Peter Laszlo gave his badges into my custody in 1996.
They are followed by some of our other club badges. I hope this will wet your appetite for some history of our organization.
John Cook.
Secretary S.K.A.
Member of
International Budo Federation
Australia.
(Click on I.B.F.symbol for link to site)
