Editorial Staff:

Alex Tong

Anjali Krishnan

Newsletter of the American Amateur Karate Federation

December, 2017 Volume 8, Issue 1

Inside this Issue:

Letter from the Editor

Report on the 2017 Pan-American

Championships

Notes from the AAKF National

Seminar

Reflections on the AAKF National

Championship

What Can Karate Tournaments

Teach Us?

AAKF Calendar of Events

Results from the 56th AAKF

National Championship

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"Perfect!" appears to be the recent popular business lexicon. I was constantly offered this accolade by service providers, be it an online vendor or a car rental agent, probably as encouragement to over-indulge... Most people would accept the compliment without much thought. Yet the ease that I could achieve such standard of excellence has been somewhat puzzling. As a karateka, I have strived for perfection most of my adult life, yet to achieve anywhere close. This apparent quixotic endeavor is also ingrained in the profound motto of our organization, i.e., “Seek Perfection of Character”. The process of seeking through traditional martial arts training is expected to bring forth self-understanding and enlightenment. Sensei Nishiyama encouraged introspection – constant reflection and self-critique of how a technique can be executed with a higher

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level of effectiveness and consistency, and what further training is needed. The review of traditional martial arts principals to attain self-improvement has been the theme of this year's National Camp training, as promulgated by the various Senseis. It is no less gratifying to witness like- minded karatekas, striving to seek perfection through the testing of their skills in this year’s National Championships. Our members are a stubborn, uncompromising lot who does not easily accept perfection by lowering the bar. It is with much pride that we witness the high caliber of competition in the 2017 National Championships, competing across generation lines, all giving their best, in order to seek perfection of technique and character. Alex Tong General Editor

Editorial: “Perfect”

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Another spectacular World Traditional Karate-Do Federation Pan-American championship in Lima, Peru for the USA Team! 7 out of 11 USA Team members received medals, for a total of 17 medals: 11 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze. Soolmaz (3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze), Sety (4 gold, 1 silver), Maral (1 gold), Priscilla (1 silver), Sabrina (1 bronze), Bryan (2 gold), and Ethan (1 gold). Big congratulations to Team USA and thanks to Michael Fusaro for coaching the team! Also big thanks to our officials: Sensei Kageyama, Sensei Tabassi, and Dr. Do as a

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medical judge. The event started with two days of judges’ seminar conducted by Sensei Tabassi, a day of regional/international meetings with board members, and two full days of competition followed by a trip to Machu Picchu. The tournament host and organizer was Association Peruvian Karate-Do Traditional, headed by Guillermo De Vettori. The host did an excellent job organizing this championship and making sure that every country felt welcomed. The tournament arena was a beautiful sight located on the beach with ample space, light, and comfort.

Report on the 2017 Pan-American Championships By Sensei Tabassi, Mid-Atlantic Region

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This year, the AAKF national seminar took place through June 22nd to 24th in Madison, Wisconsin and was an empowering experience condensed with constructive material, and of course, hard work. Over the course of three days we received high-quality training and covered a variety of topics from renowned instructors. As with each year, it continued to be an exceptional environment to engage and learn from karateka across the nation and world. The first day of training commenced with the guest instructor Mr. Khian Seow, who studies the Chen style Taijiquan. Mr. Seow demonstrated the tradition of this style that originated in the Chen Jia Gou village of the Henan province, China. The session began with a variety of warm-up exercises that gradually incorporated meditative focusing techniques and breathing drills. Although the Chen style Taijiquan emphasized soft and fluid motion, it was clear that there were many similar themes that paralleled the karate-do style of martial arts. Using ones’ center along with correct breathing and strong connection to the floor, Mr. Khain Seow demonstrated a partner pushing drill to test each other’s balance through directional force manipulation. Overall, Mr. Seow offered a fresh perspective of Chinese traditional martial arts that parallels with the concepts that trace the traditional karate-do lineage. Following Mr. Khian Seow, Sensei Włodzimierz Kwieciński, president of the WTKF, led us through both focused physical training and conceptual insight on the historical significance behind the tradition of karate-do. One topic Sensei Kwieciński emphasized was the implication of traditional (dentō) karate-do, which has set apart our philosophy of training and standards for technique. Dentō karate-do encompasses three defining elements that form what we practice today, which include the origination from China, migration to Okinawa and merging with mainland Japan, and lastly the incorporation of contemporary sports science principles. It is though these traits that have molded our methods of training and differentiate our style of martial art. In recognition of the Okinawan roots, Sensei Kwieciński demonstrated and led us thorough the white crane kata Sanchin, which was lost during the transition of karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan. Transitioning into kata training, Sensei Kwieciński focused on topics related to kata principals and application of budō philosophy. As with many seminars, the core fundamentals

Notes from the 2017 AAKF National Seminar By Cassandra Le, North Central Region

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were emphasized throughout training, such as body dynamics, power, transition, form, and mastery. In review of his main points; demonstration of body dynamics occurs through correct muscle action involving the ability to “always cover your center”, as the late Sensei Nishiyama so often mentioned. Power is the force behind one’s technique relative to his/her body mass and is achieved most prominently through applying pressure to the floor. The continuation of movement from technique to technique can be described as transition and is identified with personal rhythm or tempo. Form is the final position and course of motion from the beginning to the end of the technique. And lastly, the concept of mastery demonstrates the small details that indicate correct application of technique in addition to the aura or presence of the individual. Although challenging as it is to perfect each of these requirements, it is only with more training we can later describe such difficulties as Sensei Kwieciński mentioned, “easy”. With kumite training, we experimented with partner drills that focused on timing and form. The low intensity training included partner knee stability and hip rotation drills along with offensive and defensive timing drills. Additionally, Sensei Albert Cheah led a session that paralleled with some of the other concepts we were learning. He noted that, while the Japanese term uke is often translated to block in English, the direct meaning actually means to receive. This idea can be interpreted in practice, in which deflecting an attack instead of blocking it provides a more effective method especially against stronger opponents. This idea paired well with many of the go-no-sen timing partner drills used throughout the seminar. Moving to high intensity drills, Sensei Kwieciński stressed another budō concept, zanshin, with the idea that, “when you face each other, you are already fighting” otherwise you might as well run away. To implement this, we divided into groups and had one line of rapid attacks with one defender against the wall where their only option is to move forward. This high-energy drill brought out spirit and power, forcing the defender to commit to the fight with a forward, not backward, mentality. Like every annual national seminar, this year was an overall humbling experience. As with each event, it involved reconnecting with old friend and meeting new people, absorbing and applying information, sharing ideas, becoming better, and of course having fun. It is always a pleasure to hear new stories and practice both innovative and classic training drills. Because as karateka we are continually striving for perfection, both of body and mind, thus if there is one thing for certain, we can never get enough training.

Women's Synchronized Kata: First Place, MAR (from left): Setareh Abooali/Maral Abooali/Priscilla

Tipeni; Second Place NCR (from left): Cassandra Le/Yukino

Nakamura/Meghan Wilson.

Women's Fuku-Go: First Place, Priscilla Tipeni (MAR), Second

Place, Yukino Nakamura (NCR), Third Place: Setareh Abooali (MAR)

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The 56th AAKF National Championship was a new and different experience for me than all my other national tournaments. It was not only my first Nationals without my sister, Soolmaz, who I usually look to for reassurance before competitions, but also my first Nationals as a black belt and competitor in the adults’ division. I was very nervous and uneasy for those three reasons during the months leading into the tournament. However, the energy I got from everyone else competing and those watching helped ease my nervousness about those factors—this is what I love most about the AAKF tournaments. Even though we are all competing against each other to get a spot at the International or Pan-American Championship that follows, we are all friends and wish the best for each other, no matter what the outcome. The AAKF members always make sure to emphasize to us competitors that the main purpose of these National Championships is to let loose and have fun, and that is exactly what I did. Our National Championships are one of my favorite times of the year. This is because all the regions come together and we all get to reconnect with our friends, and because I have the opportunity to learn from the other U.S. and international instructors. Having these other instructors teach is beneficial to everyone because we are all so used to one way of instruction, and being exposed to these different perspectives, especially the international ones, aids in karatekas improving their karate and expanding their minds.

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It is always a pleasure having Sensei Kwiecinski travel from Poland to come and spend the week training with us and giving us valuable tips and instruction. I particularly liked the exercises he had us do to maximize our body rotation for the greatest power. My teammates and I have been implementing these exercises into our own dojo trainings as we prepare for 2017 Pan-Americans in Peru.

My favorite part from camp this year was when we ran a mock tournament for kata. Going up against the people I would soon be competing with in a relaxed zone was helpful. It calmed me down and helped me find a zone to put myself in during the real thing. Also, getting advice from the judges right after performing my kata helped me pick out certain things to focus on in the short time I had before the competition.

Sensei Tabassi usually asks us three questions at the end of the seminar: did we learn something new, did we make a new friend or reconnect with an old one, and did we have fun. Although this seminar he did not ask those questions, every one of us still had them in the back of our minds because those three points are the main goals of these week-long trainings, and every year the answers to these questions are always yes.

From left: Avatar of Soolmaz Abooali and baby, Setareh

Abooali, Maral Abooali (MAR)

Reflections on the AAKF National Championship By Setareh Abooali, Mid-Atlantic Region

Athletes and judges at the 2018 World Traditional Karate-Do Federation Pan-American championship in Lima, Peru

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Tournament is an integral part of our karate training. It is a chance to test ourselves against other skilled practitioners and to learn about ourselves by doing so. Here are some of the lessons I have learned from participating in tournaments over the years. Cultivate a stable emotional state Tournament is the closest we can get to a real fight without having to put our lives at risk. The tournament environment provides a level of structure and safety within which we can explore the emotions and spirit of battle. It is the place to work on finding stability and focus under stress in the presence of strong emotions such as anxiety, fear, and anger. Finding focus and gaining control of your emotional state generates a meaningful improvement in your performance. There is no substitute for training Train and train regularly. The camp before the tournament is worthwhile. Getting to train with others outside of your regular club gives you perspective by injecting additional unknowns into your exercises and opening your ears and mind to a different presentation. When you return home, incorporate some of the training exercises you learned into your regular training. Have an open mind and open ears Sometimes you will hear an instructor describe a technique or concept and find that you internalize it in a new way only to think back later and realize that they were saying the same thing your own Sensei has been saying for years. Hearing things from a new voice is a beneficial learning situation. What you give is what you get This goes for karate and life in general, so

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give your best. Anything less is unfair to your competitors and to yourself. Give all you have when you step onto the tatami and expect the same from your fellow karateka. For black belts at the tournament, take the time to help judge the youth tournament. It provides a valuable perspective on the inner workings of your own tournament and, for some of us, a dose of humility when we come to realize how much more there is to understand about judging. Be a knowledge sponge During the seminar and after the tournament, take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions of the instructors who are there. They are dedicated to the art and to teaching and they are some of the most skilled and knowledgeable karateka you will meet. Karate’s preservation and growth comes from passing it on. When one of us improves, we all improve. Leave no lesson unlearned Remember those lessons you feel so acutely during and after competition. Do not allow yourself to lose the lessons only to have to learn them again at the next tournament. Record the strengths and weaknesses that were revealed to you on the tatami. Savor the successes and the defeats and use both to foster that desire to improve and return to the next tournament even better. A safe and successful tournament is a special opportunity. Thanks are due all of the teachers, practitioners, judges, and tournament staff who have contributed to these events and given us the opportunity to test ourselves, to learn, and to improve over the years.

What Can Karate Tournaments Teach Us? By Bryan Hayes, Mid-Atlantic Region

Women's Individual Kumite: First place, Casie Le (NCR), Second

place, Yukino Nakamura (NCR), Third place, Priscilla Tipeni (MAR).

Men's Individual Kumite: First Place, Jon Menefee

(SAR), Second Place, Bryan Hays (MAR), Third place,

Dino Jurca (NCR).

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Photographs published courtesy of:

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