Karatê ITKF

Bodhidharma Dojo: 50 years of success

Current headquarters of the Bodhidharma Academy © Marcelo Azevedo

Half a century dedicated to teaching karate-do that culminated in the formation of countless world champions and national and global leaders.

By Paulo Pinto / Global Sports
Jnuary 16, 2025 / Curitiba, Brazil

In November 2024, Bodhidharma Dojo from ITKF Chairman celebrated its golden jubilee, a date marked by a festive dinner, a gashuku and the launch of a book telling the story of the long-standing school of karate-do, martial arts and yoga.

Palu, Benedito and Marcelo Azevedo, authors and illustrator of the book © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

Sensei Gilberto Gaertner, founder of the Bodhidharma Dojo, began his karate training at the age of 13 at the Shotokan Dojo, under the guidance of sensei Takuo Arai. Throughout his career, he trained with senseis Taketo Okuda, Yasutaka Tanaka, Hiroyasu Inoke and Tasuke Watanabe. At an international level, his great references were the senseis Hidetaka Nishiyama and Hiroshi Shirai. In addition, he participated in international courses and seminars taught by great masters such as Tetsuhiko Asai, Masahiko Tanaka, Masao Kawasoe, Takeshi Oishi, Iken Tokashiki and Tomoharu Kisaki.

Benedito Gomes Barboza, co-author of the 50th anniversary book © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

“Karate entered my life very early and became one of the pillars of my existence. I had the distinct privilege of having the same sensei for almost 53 years, sensei Takuo Arai, who became my mentor and a great friend.”

Antonio Sergio Palu Filho, event coordinator © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

The school began its journey in 1974 in Curitiba (PR), as Sensei Gilberto reports. “After teaching in my backyard, at Sensei Arai’s Dojo on Saturday afternoons, at the Universal Society, at the 5th Self-Propelled Artillery Group (5th GACAP) and at the Polytechnic Center of UFPR, we finally planted the school’s flag in a formal space, at Avenida das Torres, 2,741. A few years later, in 1983, the opportunity arose to buy a room on the other side of the avenue (at 2,856), and the first of our own headquarters came into being.”

Marcelo Azevedo, illustrator of the 50th anniversary book © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

With the Dojo operating and without enough space for the large number of students, a piece of land almost opposite caught Sensei Gilberto’s interest and became the object of his dream for a long time. When he managed to buy the land, in a special training session the group knocked down the walls with kicks and punches. One of the students at the time, architect Mauro César Pereira, designed the building for the new Dojo, opened in 1986, at Avenida das Torres, 2,885.

Palu, Benedito and Gilberto © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

Over its 50 years, the school has trained hundreds of black belts and numerous national and international champions. Among them are world champions Giordana de Souza, Ricardo Buzzi and Vinícius Santana Pinto, world runners-up Ramoci Leuchtenberguer, Nelson Santi and Jean Edoardo, and Pan-American champions Celso Ogasawara and Nelson Santi.

Luiz Alberto Kuster, general secretary of ITKF © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

Impeccable trajectory

To learn more about the trajectory of such a long-standing academy, we sought out professor Benedito Gomes Barboza, yon-dan (4th dan) in Shotokan karate, federal prosecutor and author of the book Bodhidharma 50 Years, published to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bodhidharma Cultural Institute. See below the highlights of the interview.

Muriel and Gilberto Gaertner, patrons of the Bodhidharma Dojo © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

How did the idea of founding the Bodhidharma Dojo come about and what were the main challenges in the early years?

Gilberto Gaertner had already graduated as a brown belt at the Shotokan Dojo, with his master and mentor sensei Takuo Arai. A student of the aspects involving karate-do, he asked his sensei for permission to teach the art in the neighborhood where he lived (Guabirotuba, in Curitiba). In the beginning, his few students were close friends who lived in the same neighborhood and the classes were given outdoors, in the backyard of his house, and on the fields of the Polytechnic Center of the Federal University of Paraná, in the Jardim das Américas neighborhood, next to Guabirotuba. The challenges he faced were, in fact, the great incentives for the continuity of his project. As it grew, the Bodhidharma Cultural Institute was born, which, after occupying two addresses, established itself in its own headquarters. Years later, Gaertner invited sensei Takuo Arai to join him, teaching the techniques and principles of traditional karate-do, an activity he continued until his passing in 2021.

Tribute to the family and the first partners of the Bodhidharma Dojo, Casela, Francisco, Pablo, Muriel and Rafael © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

Gilberto giving a speech during the festive dinner © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

How did the Bodhidharma Dojo contribute to the development of karate-do in Paraná and in Brazil?

In the book Bodhidharma 50 years, we seek to highlight this immense contribution. Initially, it is highlighted by the bond between Gilberto Gaertner and his master, sensei Takuo Arai, who was largely responsible for the development of traditional karate-do in the Paraná state. Together, they trained great athletes and new teachers. The Bodhidharma Dojo helped Paraná gain prominence on the national and international scene, with its athletes winning Brazilian and world titles and passing transmitting on knowledge through specific courses.

Tribute to Eduardo Sokoloski Jr, owner of Casa da França © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

What historical moments of the school were documented in the commemorative book?

We sought to highlight the great national and international achievements of the athletes. The timeline, very well drawn by Marcelo Gonçalves Azevedo, the illustrator of the work, highlights not only these achievements, but also other historical moments, among them the political and technical participation of the Bodhidharma Dojo, through sensei Gilberto Gaertner. First, as technical director and then as president of the FKTPR (Parana state Federation) for two terms, in addition to having been technical director for 14 years and president of the CBKT (brazilian confederation) for two terms. Not to mention that he is currently chairman and member of the technical committee of ITKF Global.

Tribute to the Olympic athlete of Rhythmic Gymnastics, Bárbara Domingos © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

Who were the key people involved in organizing the celebrations?

The celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Bodhidharma Cultural Institute were the result of complex work, carried out in a short space of time. It took about three months until November 8, 2024, when the entire Bodhidharma family gathered at the Galeteria Caixas restaurant to celebrate this half-century of activity. The coordination of the work was carried out by Antônio Sérgio Palú Filho, Gilberto Gaertner and his wife Muriel Gaertner. Muriel has a degree in business administration with a specialization in risk management. Palú is a lawyer, working in business law, and is a 3rd dan in traditional karate. He was the centerpiece of the work. The group also included Giordana de Souza, Adeir Gomes, Hilário Wobeto, Carlos Augusto Negrão Huy, Lucas Tattara Huy, Marcelo Gonçalves Azevedo, Cristiane Vítola de Souza, José da Silva Nunes, Luiz Fernando Cardoso and Alceu Toninello.

Tribute to Muriel delivered by Aline, Vicenza and Maricota © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

And what about the book’s creation?

The author worked on the editing of Bodhidharma 50 Years, and Marcelo Gonçalves Azevedo (product designer, 1st dan karateka) worked on the layout. The general coordination was in charge of Antônio Sérgio Palú Filho.

Tribute to Giordana de Souza, Eros and Edmundo, supporters of the Academy © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

How was the guest list for the celebration drawn up?

The invitations were made by posting on Instagram and in a WhatsApp group. It is worth highlighting here the work of Cristiane Vítola de Souza in the graphic production of the posts and in the publicity. No criteria were established for inclusion or selection of people; a deadline was set and we asked for confirmation of attendance; participation in the dinner was by adhesion.

Tribute to former students, supporters of the Academy, Kotaka, Vinícius, Maurício, Kuster and Marino © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

Who were the event’s supporters (companies, organizations or individuals)?

The celebratory dinner brought together around 200 people and had the gracious collaboration of Casa da França, a renowned wine store owned by Eduardo Sokoloski Júnior, a great friend of Sensei Gilberto. To publish a thousand copies of the commemorative book and distribute it free of charge, a cultural support group was formed, made up of 25 individuals and ten legal entities.

Tribute to the current teachers of the Bodhidharma Dojo, Lucas, Hilário, Huy, Leila, Giordana, Adeir, Luiz Fernando, Buzzi, Aline and Aleff © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

What motivated the event and the publication of the book?

The guiding concept was the reunion and celebration of the Bodhidharma Family, made up of teachers, students and former students from the various activities offered throughout the 50 years of the institute’s existence. The launch of the book was an idea to record facts and photographs that marked important moments of that period. Not everything could be effectively recorded, due to the short space of time to collect information and transpose it into the book. Some people even suggest a second edition.

Tribute to Incorp Physiotherapy and Galeteria Caxias, supporters of the Dojo © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

Which world champions and outstanding athletes were trained at the Bodhidharma Academy?

In addition to the Paraná and Brazilian competitions, the following are also notable for their international achievements: Sensei Giordana de Souza (the first Brazilian woman to win an individual event at an ITKF world championship, in 1994); Sensei Ricardo Luís Buzzi (the first Brazilian to win an individual world title organized by the ITKF in the men’s category, in 2002; and subsequently three more world team titles); Sensei Vinícius Sant’Ana Pinto (three-time world team champion); Ramoci Leuchtenberguer (individual world runner-up); and Sensei Celso Ogasawara (Pan-American champion). Other notable athletes who did not start out at the Bodhidharma Dojo, but trained there and became part of the family, were Nelson Santi and Jean Edoardo (world runner-up and Pan-American champion). In addition to the champions, Dojo Bodhidharma also trained internationally renowned athletes, such as Antônio Sérgio Palú Filho, the first person from Paraná to participate in an ITKF world championship (Canada, 1992), praised by sensei Nishiyama (Kanku Dai’s performance).

Tribute to the students of the first classes of the Dojo, Marcelo, Tanner, Beto, Neto, Palu and Otávio © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

How does the school manage to integrate former students and champions who are now teachers at the dojo?

This is the result of the dedication of sensei Gilberto Gaertner, who always sought to train leaders and a cadre of teachers capable of teaching the guiding principles of traditional karate, combining their experiences as karatekas and athletes. The Bodhidharma Dojo currently has nine teachers, ranging from beginners to graduates and experienced practitioners. Classes focus on teaching and practicing kihon, seeking to improve kata and kumite.

Tribute to former directors of FKTPR, CBKT (João Cruz, Renato, Binotto) and current directors of ITKF (Kuster, Rui, Palu and Benedito)© Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

How does the environment at Bodhidharma encourage both competitive excellence and the formation of human values?

Notably, the Bodhidharma Dojo has always prioritized a cooperative and family-like organizational climate. It teaches traditional karate, emphasizing technical, ethical and philosophical concepts and principles. Complementing people’s education, based on the development of human values and conventional education, is the mission of each of the teachers. Competitive excellence ends up being a natural result of the development of this process, which also depends on the competitive vocation of each student. In addition to champions in karate competitions, Dojo Bodhidharma seeks to form champions for life, people who can make a difference in such a turbulent and unequal world.

With veteran student and friend Hiro Machuca, traveling companion to Japan © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

How important is the Bodhidharma Dojo in the martial arts scene in Brazil and around the world?

The Bodhidharma Cultural Institute is perfectly integrated into the state and national systems of traditional karate-do. Sensei Jean Edoardo presides over the Paraná federation and Sensei Ricardo Buzzi is the coach of the Brazilian national team. On an international level, in addition to the brilliant performance of Sensei Gilberto Gaertner as chairman of the ITKF and member of the technical committee, we have other members of the Bodhidharma family who make up the active and capable ITKF management team, such as Luiz Alberto Kuster, Rui Marçal, Sadiomar Santos, Antonio Sérgio Palú Filho, Leonardo Neves and Carlos Huy.

Tribute to the first black belts of the Dojo, Ademir, Hélio, Giordana, Alceu and Palu © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

What were the most emotional moments of the golden jubilee?

Without a doubt, it was the joy and emotion of reuniting old friends, some of whom had not seen each other for over 30 years and others who live outside the state. Gilberto and Muriel Gaertner did not just create a legal entity or a place where martial arts are practiced. They formed a group of people who, under the banner of fraternity and the true principles of karate, come together as a true family.

Tribute to the world and pan-american champions, Giordana, Buzzi, Vinícius, Celso and Jean © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

Quotes from the commemorative book?

See below excerpts from the book Bodhidharma 50 Years that demonstrate the historical impact of the academy and testimonies from former students and champions trained at the school.

Tribute to supporters of the Academy, Silvano and Hilário © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

Gilberto Gaertner’s first classes

“Teaching was his mission and, for this reason, he also gave karate (self-defense) classes to the nuns at Colégio Assunção, in the Guabirotuba neighborhood. The nuns did not wear karate gis. During training, they dressed normally in their habits (loose tunics, which are not molded to the body, with wide and long sleeves reaching the feet or ankles, tied at the waist with a cord).” – page 33

Students from the Dojo of several different generations © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

“With its operating license issued, the Bodhidharma Cultural Institute had its life materialized and recognized as a legal entity. Its organizational structure had an organization chart divided into three departments: 1) Karate, Yoga, Zen and Tai-chi; 2) Aerobic, Localized Gymnastics and Stretching; 3) Jazz, Classical Ballet, Contemporary and Tap Dance.” – p. 35

Muriel and Gilberto blowing out the candles on the birthday cake © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

“His lifestyle and customs were very similar to those of the Orientals (Japanese). He was more Japanese than I am, and I am a ‘Nisei’ descendant (second generation). At home, he would sit on the floor and eat with ‘hashi’ and ‘chawan’ – the famous chopsticks and bowl. Is that easy?” – p. 32

Commemorative mugs from the Golden Jubilee of the Bodhidharma Academy © Renato Meirelles e Erlei Schade

“Hilário reached the fifth dan, learning from the teachings of Gilberto Gaertner. The training followed the strictness of the East, which he learned from sensei Takuo Arai. However, Gilberto had a better understanding of the need to introduce new training methods, a result of the countless courses he took with the greatest masters of Traditional Karate. This led him to promote training in special and different places, such as the steps of Guabirotuba square, the lawns and woods, places with dense forest and narrow trails, including on huge manholes where they practiced Kata Tekki Shodan.” – page 60

Commemorative stamp for the 50th anniversary © Archive

“During the army maneuver exercises and in the camps in the middle of the forest, even on rainy or muddy days, he made a point of finding the tent where I slept and waking me up at dawn. Why? To run in the middle of the forests and roads. We were obsessed with physical exercise and with taking advantage of everything that nature had to offer us. Back then, he confessed to me that one of his dreams was to attend a monastery in Japan.” – page 32

Gaertner com os shihans Watanabe e Arai © Arquivo

“Marcelo Azevedo emphasizes that the feeling of self-confidence, the evolution in techniques, the learning of ethical principles, education through strength of spirit, balance and overcoming are still his guides today. And he learned all of this from the karate family and from the lessons of his Master Gilberto Gaertner, who always transcended technique, helping to improve the spirit.” – page 63

Inauguration of the first headquarters of the Bodhidharma Academy, located at 2741 Avenida das Torres © Archive

“Luiz Pavão emphasizes that the Monday classes were initially taught by sensei Gilberto Gaertner. Despite some traditional aspects, he always sought a different dynamic, which required a little more reasoning in the exercises, encouraging the students to think. In Pavão’s words, it was “a kind of reprogramming of neural networks and a more sophisticated body perception.” – page 65

Photo of the second dojo at 2856 Avenida das Torres © Archive

“Marçal happily states that the Bodhidharma Institute is much more than a dojo. “It is a house,” says Marçal, “that welcomes its students as if they were children, and Gilberto Gaertner is not just a teacher. He is a great friend with whom one has the pleasure of sharing the knowledge of Traditional Karate.” – page 69

“Outdoor training was Sensei Gilberto Gaertner’s favorite. Woods, forested areas with steep or sloping terrain, streams and trails were chosen for special training sessions. Gilberto would gather a large group of students, dressed in karate gis and sneakers, and they would run from the Bodhidharma headquarters to the place he had chosen. Older students of Bodhidharma remember, with pain in their calves, all the good kihon training, going up and down the immense number of steps of the stairs of Guabirotuba square, and the kata on the lawns and on the roller rink that was next door.” – page 75

Reflection

The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Bodhidharma Dojo was not only a milestone in time, but also an opportunity to revisit the trajectory, values and teachings that shaped this school of excellence in traditional karate. Sensei Gilberto Gaertner, in his words, invites us to reflect on the principles that guided this half-century of achievements and the true purpose of the path taken.

“Looking back on the history of my 55 years of karate, I realize everything I have learned from my teachers, colleagues and students, in addition to the valuable friendships built throughout this journey,” highlighted shihan Gaertner, who concluded with the certainty that the tradition remains alive.

“Today, as Chairman of the ITKF and member of the technical committee, I carry the great responsibility of keeping alive and expanding the legacy left by Master Nishiyama for future generations. It is a mission that I continue thanks to the partnership with a dedicated and committed work team.

I thank everyone who helped build this history of longevity and excellence. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has been and is part of the great Bodhidharma family over these 50 years.”

Cultural support

The celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the Bodhidharma Dojo was only possible thanks to the invaluable support of cultural partners who believe in the relevance of karate and the transformative power of its history. These supporters contributed not only to the celebration of the celebration, but also to the editorial and graphic production of the book that narrates the achievements, challenges and values that shaped the dojo’s 50 years of existence. This joint effort reflects the spirit of collaboration and solidarity that karate teaches, ensuring that this historic milestone was celebrated in a way that befits its importance.

Individuals and legal entities such as Benedito Gomes Barboza & Fabio Leandro dos Santos, Carlos Huy, House of France, Brazilian Confederation of Traditional Karate, Celso Ogasawara, Edmundo Hasselmann Neto, Eros Aldo Villela Lepca, Escrisul Accounting, Galeteria Caxias, Giordana de Souza Dal Negro, Hilário Wobeto, Marcos Hiroshi Iwamoto Machuca, Incorp, International Traditional Karate Federation, Leandro Neves / Autentico Pilates, Leonardo Neves Berg do Prado / Allef Santos da Silva / Adeir Gomes, Lorivaldo Nurmberg Batista, Luiz Alberto Küster, Marino Di Giuseppe, Maurício Kopp Arantes Agria, Murilo Conehero Ghizzi and Family, Murilo Martin and Valentina Martin, Palú Law Firm, Sadiomar Santos, Sylvano Rocha Loures Neto, TNK Investments and Real Estate Business, Wotroba Strategy Heritage, Vinicius Sant Ana Pinto, known as Vina, and Cláudio de Macedo Portugal Kotaka joined forces to make this celebration possible. They are more than just supporters; they are true protagonists in the appreciation and perpetuation of the principles and philosophy of karate.

Each contribution, whether individual or collective, reaffirms the commitment to preserving a history built with dedication, discipline and love for the empty-handed path. Thanks to this collaborative network, Dojô Bodhidharma continues to strengthen its mission of educating citizens and transmitting on the legacy of traditional karate to future generations.

Historical milestone

Over the course of five decades, the Bodhidharma Dojo has established itself as a true temple of world karate. Immortal legends such as Hidetaka Nishiyama, Yasutaka Tanaka, Hiroshi Shirai, Tetsuhiko Asai, Masahiko Tanaka, Taketo Okuda, Tasuke Watanabe, Yasuyuki Sasaki, Hiroyasu Inoki, Yoshizo Machida and Takuo Arai, among other giants of the sport, had their teachings interpreted and transmitted with mastery on the tatami, leaving indelible marks.

The knowledge shared by these masters further established the dojo as a cradle of learning, discipline and technical evolution. This trajectory, rich in tradition and achievements, reinforces the historical and cultural importance of the Bodhidharma Institute Dojo, a true source of pride not only for Curitiba, but for all Brazilian karate.