Farrarmere resident Albert “Buddy” John Gibson (82) recently retired after giving 50 years of his life to being a sensei, for which he put in four years of intense training.
“A judo friend recommended I become a sensei.
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“I really enjoyed karate and started training with sensei Eddy Dorey, and never stopped training,” said Gibson.
“Shotokan karate became my life.
“I started training with master Stan Schimdt and from there, for many years, we trained at a dojo in Orange Grove.”
Gibson, a Hoërskool Brandwag matriculant, was always hopeful his children would also take up karate.
“They trained and did very well, all achieving various belts,” he explained.
“My son, Jeffrey, became a sensei too and today has his own dojos.
“His two sons, Wayne and Brandon, also followed in my footsteps, making it three generations later.
“My daughters instead took part in ballet, horse riding and modelling, among other interests.”
Gibson had four dojos and visited schools to give classes.
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“My first dojo was Dynamic Karate in the Scout Hall in Northmead,” he explained.
Gibson also went by the nickname given to him as a sensei, The Boom!
“I trained in Japan twice, where I met master sensei Tanaka,” he said.
“We became friends and he was my inspiration to become the best.
“In 1999, I was graded sixth dan (black belt) at the age of 62 and I graded seventh dan at the age of 72, both times in Japan.”
Gibson said the results of true karate is a natural, effortless action and that confidence, humility, openness and peace are only possible through perfect unity of mind and body.
“This is the core teaching of Zen, the basis of Bushido, and the basis of the Japan Karate Association’s philosophy,” he explained.
“I love this philosophy – to be in control of your mind and way of thinking,” Gibson concluded.
Valerie Spies, a former student of Gibson said: “We wish you a happy retirement, sensei Buddy. Learning from you was one of our greatest experiences and we thank you for that.”
