Seido Karate Dunedin members Joseph Brosnahan, Fei Peters, Kacey Hutchison and Sebastian Sole are planning to fly to New York in August to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Seido Karate.
Founded in New York in 1976 by Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura, the martial arts combines traditional Japanese karate with a philosophy of strengthening the mind as well as the body.
Organiser Kacey Hutchison said Seido Karate grew out of Kyokushin Karate.
"Kaicho used to be a part of the Kyokushin club, he came over and started teaching Kyokushin in the US essentially, but sort of around 1976 it evolved into its own style, creating Seido with the ideas and values of creating a safe place where anyone can train, like kids, women, adults."
Hutchison began her training in Seido Karate in 2006, when she was 6 years old.
"I think the environment that we do have in the dojo is really great, really welcoming.
"You meet so many great people and it is a really good chance of keeping up your fitness, keeping up your skill and your flexibility."
The sport includes a range of components such as the basic punches, blocks and kicks.
"The basics is the foundation of your practice, so if you have got a strong foundation with your basics, then the rest of it comes in together quite nicely."
Another key element is mastering long sequences of sparring moves called kata.
"Which is basically just long range, long sets of technique to demonstrate your practice."
After 20 years in the martial art, the reason she still loved Seido Karate was the people.
"I have trained in a few different dojos over the years as well ... it is such a welcoming environment."
Groups from around the world will travel to New York for Seido Karate's 50th anniversary celebrations, which will include two days of tournaments.
The team is planning a range of fundraising events to help with travel costs.
Tomorrow the group is hosting a pub quiz, 6.30pm at The Bog.
Click to register a quiz team, or visit Seido Karate Dunedin on Facebook for details.
