My Story

Hi! My name is Ricky Rigor. My passion is Karate and I have been practicing it for over 20 years. I own and operate PDK Dojo Martial Arts School.

My life-long devotion to this Art can be traced back at the age of 10 in my home town in Philippines, when I enrolled in Karate as my summer holiday activity.

I am currently a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Shotokan Karate and also a 3rd Dan in the style of Shito-Ryu. Of all the disciplines of Karate (Kata - Forms, Kihon - Basics, Kumite - Sparring), Kata is the one that attracts me the most as it deeply connects me to its rich history and traditions.

I am also currently the Lead Kata Coach for NSW Karate Federation.

I love sharing the knowledge and experiences that I have learnt throughout my career. I take great satisfaction in helping students, athletes and clients achieve their personal goals whether it is in tournaments, gradings (belt exams), weight loss, and many others.

MY INFLUENCES

Shotokan Karate

I have trained with numerous great Shotokan Instructors inside and outside Australia.

I began my Karate training with one of the biggest Karate Schools in Philippines under the guidance of the former Philippine Karate Federation President. I was lucky enough to also be training with the National Team as one of their junior athletes. But life calls in Australia and my family had to migrate to Australia.

I acheived my Dan Gradings through the Shotokan Organisation Zanshin Shotokan, founded by one of the pioneers in Australian Karate, Frank Nowak. I was trained by the most Senior Instuctors of Zanshin Shotokan -Kora Nowak, Ron Richmond, and Yossi Litvin. I owe most of my knowledge and experiences to these great Instructors and I wouldnt be where I am today without these Instructors guidance and friendship.

My Shotokan Karate was also heavily influenced by Sensei Arie Farcas of World Kase Ho Shotokan Karate (WKSK). He played a significant role in shaping me as a Karateka. He has given me a different perspective to Shotokan Karate and have always taught me about the Budo of Karatedo.

I have also attended many seminars and workshops to help me improvemy technical skills as a practitioner and as an Instructor. I have attended the seminars of the following:

Master Taji Kase

Sensei Masao Kagawa

Sensei Tatsuya Naka

Sensei Ishikawa Tadashi

Sensei Luca Valdesi

Sensei Junior Lefevre

Sensei Antonio Oliva

Sensei Yoshie Naka

Shito-Ryu

My Shito-Ryu Karate is influenced by Sensei Con Kassis of Shitokai Australia. He is the former Chairman of the WKF Referree Council.

He is graded and certified in Japan by the famous 10th Dan Grand Master Kenei Mabuni and the World Shitoryu Karate-Do Federation.

With his guidance and assistance I was lucky to have trained with famous Shito-Ryu practitioners:

Sensei Katsuhide Hasegawa

Sensei Kenyu Mabuni (Current Soke of World Shito Ryu Karate Federation)

Sensei Masae Sonoyama

Sensei Con Kassis

I strive to see Sensei Con on a regular basis so I can develop as a Shito-Ryu Karateka. I also try to attend as much workshops and seminars for my professional development.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

3rd Dan Black Belt in Shotokan Karate
3rd Dan Black Belt in Shito-Ryu Karate through World ShitoRyu Karate Federation
Strength & Conditioning Level 1 Coach Certified by ASCA
NSW Karate Federation Kumite Referee A
NSW Karate Federation Kata Judge A
NSW State Team Coach'
Australian Karate Federation (AKF) Assistant National Coach (Kata Specialisation) 2014-2015
NCAS Bronze Level Coach (Australian Sporting Commission Aprroved)
Working with Children Check Approved
Numerous 1st Places in Kata and Kumite with NSW State Championships
AKF National Champion
Oceania Karate Medalist