Okinawa was an amazing place to be in August 2003.
The 2003 Okinawa karatedo and kobudo world tournament attracted 544 people from 31 countries and 4100 people from mainland Japan and Okinawa.

The Tournament, held at the Okinawa Kenritsu Budokan (Okinawa Prefectural Hall of Martial Arts), gave the opportunity for those attending to demonstrate the arts and skills learned and perfected through training and celebrate Okinawan budo.
Shihan Kevin Plaisted, Tim Herlihy and Bill Westphal were thrilled to attend this memorable event.

Highlights for the kiwi trio were, performing kata at the official opening as part of the Matsubayashi Ryu demonstration team and attending seminars conducted by Soke Takayoshi Nagamine, who was assisted by Makishi, Taira and Higa Sensei.