Leo Lipinski Curriculum Vitae

Original post from The All Gōjūryu Network May 20, 2005

Resyndicated to the All Gojuryu Network with updates and revisions on March 6th 2024 by Johnpaul Williams

Leo Lipinski Kyōshi, a luminary in the world of Gōjūryū Karatedō, was born in Durban, South Africa, in 1946 and passed away on January 1, 2018, after a long battle with illness​​. He held the distinguished ranks of 8th Dan in Gōjū-Ryū Karatedō Seiwakai 剛柔流空手道誠和会 and 7th Dan in JKF Gōjū-Kai (Japan Karatedō Federation Gōjū-Kai 全日本空手道連盟剛柔会)​​. Lipinski’s dedication to the martial art was evident in his extensive teaching and travels, where he conducted seminars internationally and trained annually in Japan since around 1967​​.

From the Early Years, his Timeline and Achievements

Leo Lipinski and Shuji Tasaki

• 1946: Born in Durban, South Africa.
• 1962: Began his martial arts journey with Judo and Shotokan Karatedō.
• 1965: Started training in Shukokai (Shitōryū) Karatedō and continued his training in Cape Town while attending university.
• 1966: Opened a dojo in Durban South Africa, which became one of the first karate clubs to teach “non-Whites” openly, defying the Apartheid laws of South Africa at that time​​.
• 1967: Trained in Gōjūryū Karatedō in Hong Kong and then in Kobe Japan with Chōjirō Tani, 8th Dan, head of Shukokai Karatedō.
• 1968: Began training under the direction of Gōgen Yamaguchi in Zen Nippon Karatedō Gōjū-Kai and continued through the late 1960s, 1970s, and much of the 1980s.
• 1968: Became the first representative for the All Japan Karatedō Gōjū-Kai in South Africa.
• 1973: Graded to 4th Dan, a rank recognized by JKF Gōjū-Kai in 1987, and awarded the title of Renshi and Shihan.
• 1974: Began training at the Gōjū-Ryū Karatedō Seiwakai Dojo of Shuji Tasaki Sensei.
• 1976: Graded to 5th Dan by Gogen Yamaguchi.
• 1983: Acquired a Bachelor of Science & Acupuncture and became a certified acupuncturist in California, USA.
• 1984: Appointed as one of the three Chief Instructors for the International Karatedō Gōjū-Kai Association (IKGA).
• 1987: Resigned from the International Karatedō Gōjū-Kai Association (IKGA) and joined Tasaki Shūji’s Gōjū-Ryū Karatedō Seiwakai Organization and the JKF Gōjū-Kai​​.
• 1987: Joined Shuji Tasaki Sensei’s association and the JKF Gōjū-Kai.
  

  Shuji Tasaki and Leo Lipinski

• 1993: Became an active member and grading examiner of the JKF Gōjū-Kai Examining Panel.
• 1998: Organized the JKF Gōjū-Kai Europe organization and became a member of the EKGB Management Board.
• 1999: Graded to 7th Dan in JKF Gōjū-Kai.
• 2002: Acquired the Shihan Menkyo license of Kyōshi in JKF Gōjū-Kai.
• 2005: Graded to 8th Dan in Gōjū-Ryū Karatedō Seiwakai.
• 2005: Appointed as the first foreign member to the Board of Directors of the JKF Gōjū-Kai in Japan.
• 2011: Appointed as one of three Vice Presidents of Gōjū-Ryū Karatedō Seiwakai Japan.
• 2017: Received the 8th Dan Certificate from the JKF Gōjū-Kai.
• 2018: Passed away in England, UK.

Legacy and Contributions

Leo Lipinski was not only the highest-graded non-Japanese member of the JKF Gōjū-Kai and Seiwakai Gōjūryū Karatedō outside Japan, but he also held the prestigious position of President of the JKF Gōjū-Kai for all of Europe. He was instrumental in organizing seminars across Europe and the Americas, bringing together instructors from Japan to share their expertise. His commitment to the spread of Gōjūryū Karatedō Seiwakai was unmatched, and he played a pivotal role in its growth from the 1990s to the present. Lipinski’s extensive training in Tai Chi Chuan, various Chinese martial arts, and boxing, including sessions at the Mohammed Ali Boxing Club in Santa Monica, California, further showcased his diverse martial arts background.

Leo Lipinski’s legacy continues to inspire karate practitioners worldwide, as his teachings and philosophies live on through his students and the organizations he helped build.