Little is known about the origins of Gooseman, the park knight, except hailing originally “from the North”. Our feathered superhero, known to be a shape shifter is a master of the avian arts, with his specialist finishing move “the goose shuffle” being next to unstoppable.
Having moved to Sandwell to campaign to save his friends in the parks from Sandwell council’s doom, he was keen to make new friends amongst the local population and meet some of Tipton’s finest martial artists. Tipton Shotokan Karate run by two local lads are top exponents of this ancient form of self defence. Shotokan, one of many styles of karate, originated in Okinowa, Japan and was founded by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi also influenced the development of the art.
Big bird met up with the Sensei Fieldhouses, Daz and Jason before their class. Mutual respect was given- one of the principle teachings of the karate way.
The giant gander was eager to test out his skills, and soon learnt that Shotokan was very similar to his own training and self defence, but NOT AGGRESSION.
Is that a ura zuki Sensei Daz?
Sensei Daz took it on the chin and the two parted the best of friends. “You can be my wingman any time” said gooseman.
As gooseman had his picture taken with the students at the Dojo, he remembered something he had heard that the great man had said
Funakoshi wrote: “The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of the participant”