“Karate begins and ends with respect” (Gichin Funakoshi)
Karate journey
2008 (September): Beginning of karate training and joining the sports club ŠK Karate Kachi Nitra.
2011 (March): First meeting with Shihan Leo Lipinski at a seminar in Bratislava, which marked the beginning of a lasting interest in traditional Goju-ryu karate. Since then, regular participation in traditional Goju-ryu karate seminars in Slovakia and abroad (Hungary, Poland, Germany, England) multiple times per year led by Shihan Leo Lipinski or his student, Shihan Pal Gila.
2015 (August): Achievement of the 1st Dan in the Seiwakai organization, examined and approved by the head of the grading panel, Shihan Leo Lipinski.
2017 (November): Joining the sports club Karate Klub Kretovič Košice.
2018 (May): First meeting with Shihan Gurmit Singh at a seminar in Budapest, which deepened the interest in traditional Goju-ryu karate, especially in the study of the principles of go and ju.
2019 (June): Achievement of the 2nd Dan in the Slovak Karate Union, examined and approved by the grading panel.
2022 (October): Establishment of the Goju-ryu Dojo Vancho Nitra training group, focused on the practice and development of traditional Goju-ryu karate. The Dojo aims to preserve and strengthen the long-standing tradition of Goju-ryu in the city of Nitra (Slovakia). The instructors are Dominik Vančo and Dušan Vančo. The key values of the dojo are respect, cooperation and friendship.
2023 (June): Participation in an important seminar with Shihan Gurmit Singh in Wołów (Poland), which marked the beginning of regular meetings and a new era of studying traditional Goju-ryu karate under his guidance.
2024 (June): Achievement of the 3rd Dan in the Slovak Karate Union, examined and approved by the grading panel.
2024 (September): Participation in the founding meeting of the IGKKF organization in Ścinawa (Poland), with Shihan Gurmit Singh serving as the President and Head Instructor of the organization.
2025 (May): Official joining of the IGKKF organization.
Sport karate accomplishments
Sport Karate Accomplishments:
Since 2009, participation in regional, national, and international championships in the individual and team kata categories. Among the most significant achievements are:
- multiple medal placements (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018) at the Slovak Republic National Championships in the individual kata category (cadets, juniors, seniors)
- 1st (2016) and 2nd (2018) place at the Slovak Republic Academic Championships in the individual kata male category
- 1st place (2018, 2021, 2025) at the Slovak Republic National Goju-ryu Style Championships in the men’s kata category
- 1st place (2014, 2015) at the Slovak Republic Kata Team Championships in kata team male category