Sensei Chris Larken was a great karate-ka. The development of IOGKF Australia today owes a lot to him. I have known him over 40 years and have a lot of fond memories with him. Thank you for all your hard work to protect and promote traditional karate. Please rest in peace. My condolences to Kerri and family.
Morio Higaonna
(IOGKF Supreme Master)
________________________________________________________________________________
May god bless his soul. My deepest condolences to Kerri and family.
________________________________________________________________________________
To Kerri and family of Sensei Chris Larken.
Please accept our sincere condolences on your loss. RIP Chris.
Ernie Molyneux and members of EGKA
(IOGKF ENGLAND – EGKA)
________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Kerri and family,
Please accept our deepest condolences for you and your family’s loss. You and your family are in our hearts and minds here in Denmark.
Best regards,
Henrik & Kayle Larsen
(IOGKF Denmark)
________________________________________________________________________________
It is with great sadness to hear the news of Sensei Chris Larken’s bereavement. Our sincere condolences to his family & all his students. May he rest in everlasting peace.
On the behalf of the executive committee and all members of AOGKF, we would like to extend our sincere condolences to Kerri, Shiromi, their family and members of IOGKA on the passing of Sensei Chris. All of us have known Sensei Chris for most of our lives, some of us for some 45 plus years. We are very upset to hear that this terrible disease has once again claimed another senior IOGKF Australian instructor. He made a great contribution to IOGKF in Australia and it was our pleasure to award Sensei Chris a lifetime achievement award in October last year in recognition for his efforts. We pray that Sensei Chris will now find rest and that his family can find comfort in all that he has achieved in life.
With respect,
Joe Roses
Kevin Nash
David Lambert
& all members of AOGKF
(IOGKF Australia – AOGKF)
________________________________________________________________________________
I will always remember Sensei Chris for his good nature, spirit and humor. I have so many fond memories of training together, drinking together and laughing together. Seeing him this last summer at the Budosai, reminded me of what a wonderful man he was and what an inspiration he was to everyone. I will miss him greatly.
To his family, may the care and love of those around you provide comfort and peace to get you through the days ahead. My most sincere condolences for your loss.
Gene Villa
(IOGKF USA)
________________________________________________________________________________
I am saddened beyond words to hear of the passing of Sensei Chris Larken. Sensei Chris was not only a great martial artist & instructor but a wonderful person and true friend. We shared many special memories both inside and out of the Dojo. I will miss him dearly! My deepest condolences to Kerri and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bobby Smith
(IOGKF Bermuda)
________________________________________________________________________________
My sincere condolences goes to Kerri and family…
Sensei Chris was indeed a piece of life. Happiness and laughter combined with a seriousness and fighting spirit made a rare example of a human being who we all can learn from.
I sit back both with a sad empty feeling yet at the same time filled with happiness; I met this man, we trained, laughed, had serious talks…, thank you so much for giving me this experience.
I will treasure my memories of all the moments spend in the company of this extraordinary gentleman and warrior.
Regards,
Torben Svendsen
(IOGKF Denmark)
________________________________________________________________________________
As I met Higaonna Sensei in Okinawa last July he took my hand in his hands and told me: ‘Sensei Chris come to train with us, the doctors gave him just 1 week of life and he is here with us to practice…’
I trained with Sensei Chris all the week and he has been an Amazing example for all of us. He trained with great commitment without losing any moment of the lessons, short breaks to take a breath and again on Budokan’s parquet to sweat. Observing with extreme attention every explenation of the Teachers repeating every movement like if he should have the prospect to repeat and perfection that movement for many years to come…
We took a picture together in the last day of training, joking and laughing about the fact that he had to adopt my same hairstyle.
We both knew that was the last time…
May be he decided to come to Okinawa to die during training together with all of us and his loved Teacher and the illness, confused by his great determination, offered him other 3 months of life.
His presence at Budo Sai has been an invaluable gift for all of us.
Dear Chris my loving thought go to you and your family and to you goes my gratitude for all the years of shared practice and for your last battle that, someway, you wanted to fight with all of us offering us the example of a warrior’s death.
May you rest in peace in the loving memory of your family and all of us.
Paolo Taigō Spongia
(IOGKF Italy)
________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Kerri and family,
I would like to express my condolences on behalf of myself, my wife Mieke and all the Belgian IOGKF members. We lost a good karateka but also a good friend. I loved training and talking with him. It was nice to see Chris last Budosai in Okinawa. We will cherish these memories. We know his family and all his friends will miss him dearly but he will never be forgotten.
Patrick Curinckx
(IOGKF Belgium)
________________________________________________________________________________Dear Kerri and Family,
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sensei Chris and we wish to express our deepest condolences. It has been an honour and privilege to have known Sensei Chris as a friend and as a highly respected karateka who has forged a great lasting relationship between our 2 countries. May he rest in peace.
On behalf of all AFKGO members, We wish to extend our sincere condolences to Senseï Chris’ family and a message of support to all his relatives for the hardship they go through.
Eric & French Kambukai
(IOGKF France)
Very sad news. Thoughts go out to Kerri, family and all who knew Chris as both a Karate Sensei and friend.
Simon Beaumont
(IOGKF Australia – IOGKA)
________________________________________________________________________________
With deepest sympathy
Callum Dick
I was so glad to catch up with you both in Okinawa this year. Even though Chris was so ill he still had energy and drive to not only travel to the Budosai but to even train. I remember training in the heat and humidity and looking over at Sensei Chris who was training at the other end of the room and thinking to myself, how on earth can he train so hard feeling the way he must have. I will remember that forever.
On behalf of myself, Wendy and all the members of my Dojo here in Papamoa I want to pass on all our respect and deepest sympathies to you in this very difficult time.
We have all lost a great friend and great instructor and I feel very lucky to have known him for so long.
All our best wishes,
Phil Dovaston
Dear Kerri,
Regards,
On behalf of Ferenc Szigetvari,
Karoly Holczhauser
(IOGKF Hungary)
My Deepest Condolences. I am really saddened to hear of Sensei Chris Larken’s Death today. I have no words for this unexpected loss of respected Sensei Chris Larken Australian Chief Instructor, he will be sadly missed; this is a big shock for me. Sensei Larken was a remarkable Karate Instructor in Australia. It was honor knowing him. My deepest condolence on the passing of Sensei Chris Larken and deepest sympathies go out to all the family of Sensei Larken and IOGKF Family. May God give you all the peace.
Sowyamvu Raj Dangol
(IOGKF Nepal)
Words fail to express the sadness felt by all at the passing of a wonderful man, father, karateka, mentor and friend in Sensei Chris Larken. No one can fully appreciate the grief felt by Kerri, Shiromi, Chris’ immediate family and the Newcastle family, but our hearts goes out to them during this time. It may be premature but at some point we also need look back with a smile to the all the good times we had with him and even laugh if our memories call for it.We miss you dearly Sensei Chris.
TJ DeCastella
(IOGKF Australia – IOGKA)
________________________________________________________________________________
Sad news indeed. A great man and true inspiration. Our deepest sympathy with Kerry and the rest of the family.
Anton & Suna
(IOGKF Australia – IOGKA)
________________________________________________________________________________
From the bottom of my heart a hug to you Kerri. May GOD give you strenght throughout these hard times. So sorry for your loss.