Message from Sensei John Lambert's Family
(DJ Lambert IOGKF Australia
Nephew of Sensei John Lambert)

On the behalf of Sensei John Lambert’s family and I, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of those who have sent condolences in such a tragic time.

Many of you I have contacted personally to thank you for your well wishes in such a difficult time. Both Sensei John’s family in Scotland and I, in Australia, really appreciate it you sincerity.

Since Sensei John’s untimely passing, his family and I have received over 100 messages of condolence and support through the IOGKF Administrative office and face book. Everything that has happened still doesn’t seem real to many of us, Sensei John is definitely a big loss to not only us, but the IOGKF & Karate world.

Upon reflection last night, I realised that this is the first time in the IOGKF’s over 32 year history, that there hasn’t been at least one member of our family as an IOGKF country chief instructor. For my uncle to hold the top position in his country for such a long time is a rare thing today and I think we can all learn from his personality and mannerisms in how he accomplished this.

He always avoided politics within Karate, the training was the most important thing, but if the situation did arise, he had a marvellous way of resolving conflict quickly. His knowledge of Karate was really quite incredible and I feel many people really had no idea just how good he was.

I was so fortunate to spend a few months in Scotland living with and training under him. He had a great manner when teaching classes, he was able to create a warm atmosphere and really showed a love for his students. Training one on one was little more intense – many repetitions and with lots of technical input. I can remember doing Sesan together one session, I was made to repeat the Sesan Suri Ashi sequence at the beginning at least 200 times until I got it right – he was a real perfectionist.

His technical knowledge was quite astounding and he had a story for everything IOGKF related. From Spanish Hotel receptionists ending up in swimming pools, to hard two week Gasshuku’s in Africa and Belgium – there was never a dull moment!

This is why I asked Sensei John to start writing these stories for the International newsletter at the beginning of the year; a segment we were going to call, ‘Gasshuku gone by’. He agreed to do this and we even announced it in a previous newsletter.

This is how quickly things changed, I had no idea that while preparing a memorial article for my father for our June newsletter, that I would be now doing the same for my uncle for the September one.

I really want to take the time to thank a few people who really made life easier for Sensei John in his time of need. Firstly to Sensei Gary Adams and Sensei Kenny Morrison, who both agreed to take on my uncles busy teaching schedule on top of their own for this last year, and have kept my uncles legacy alive.

I also really like to thank Higaonna Sensei, who has been a constant support for my uncle since he discovered he had cancer a few months ago. Sensei and the honbu dojo family have sent many gifts of encouragement to Sensei John, including 1000 paper cranes. I can never thank you enough for your efforts.

Thank you also to Nakamura Sensei for managing all of the condolence messages for all around the world, I really appreciate this.

I also want to pay tribute to those closest to Sensei John, who cared for him in his final hours. To my Aunty Sandra, Pauline & Iain, Sensei Jim Flannagin and their closest family and friends, thank you for your courage, strength and support towards my uncle. I know it would have been a great comfort to him

 IOGKF International without a doubt the greatest Karate organisation in the world, we are one family. We have lost another follower of the way to the evil that is cancer. We lost my father in 2000, Sensei Leon in 2007 and now Sensei John Lambert in 2010. But it is not in vein if we all live true lives and keep the tradition that is Okinawan Goju-ryu thriving.

Thank you again and my best wishes to you all,

David John Lambert

Editor – IOGKF International

IOGKF Australia

www.goulburnkarate.com