Editorial Staff:

Alex Tong

Anjali Krishnan

Newsletter of the American Amateur Karate Federation

June, 2016 Volume 7, Issue 1

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We Americans are a restless sort, never satisfied with the status quo and always seeking new ideas, or minimally new approaches to improve existing practices. This temperament on surface appears to contradict the disciplinary focus of traditional martial arts training. Practitioners are expected to adhere to century old tenets of moral bearing, values, and training methods. Yet there is no conflict in this dichotomy. Ages ago, when Sensei Nishiyama embarked on his lifelong journey to introduce traditional karate to the American public, he sagely blended modern science biomechanics and kinesiology ideas to broaden its appeal. These elements did not dilute but rather strengthened training perspectives and further validated the guiding principles (dojo kun) of training. The confluence of new and old ideas has turned out to be life enriching.

Editorial: Kaizen

Inside this Issue:

Letter from the Editor

AAKF Spring National Seminar

2015 World Cup Experience

Flyer for 55th AAKF National

Championship

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A long held concept of Japanese culture is “kaizen” ( ), continuous improvement. Accordingly, practitioners of traditional martial arts engage in the “inner directed” process of introspection and/or seek outer challenges by engaging in randori/kumite. Kaizen has always been a standing expectation for Sensei Nishiyama’s students, regardless of ranks. Those who attended the last two AAKF National Seminars would have noticed a modification of the training curriculum with guest instructors who are experts in Juijitsu (Atlanta, GA) and more recently, Okinawan Shorin Ryu karate (Sensei Ilene Smoger, Dallas, TX). The showcasing of different styles alongside with teachings from the AAKF Technical Committee Senseis provides insights to our members towards seeking common guiding principles of traditional martial arts, facilitating continuous improvement. Alex Tong General Editor

SEIZAN®

Instructors and participants at the AAKF 2016 Spring AAKF National Seminar held at The University of Texas at Dallas, TX in February 2016

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After months of preparation, the national seminar was finally here. With instructors from the AAKF Technical Committee, and students visiting from out of state I knew that the seminar was going to be an unforgettable experience. However, being one of the 5 colored belts (out of approximately 25 black belts) attending the seminar, I was quite intimidated. I was very certain that by the time the seminar ended I would be bruised and exhausted.

The seminar was held at The University of Texas at Dallas, with the introduction of the AAKF Technical Committee, and welcoming words by Sensei Tabassi. The day started with a very intense workout by Sensei Abooali—my body was twisted and bent in ways that I have never done before.

Sensei Fusaro led the first session of the seminar. He reviewed the elements of a good stance and a perfect technique. Some of his advice was new to my fellow colored belt friends and myself. However, he mentioned, “these are advanced techniques, so for the beginners just try.” Those were comforting words, and I felt very encouraged. I didn’t think I was just a beginner, so I worked as hard as I could. And even though by lunch every muscle in my body was aching, and I had to admit to myself, that I need decades more of training to get those techniques. I felt that I had taken a big step forward.

Over the next few sessions (and days), each instructor shared their unique stories about karate, their words of motivation to keep us training, and words of encouragement to help us to work on perfecting our techniques. Sensei Cheah gave us a short history of karate, which reminded us about how our martial art grew and changed over the years. Sensei Tabassi and

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Sensei Tong reiterated some of the techniques that are essential to kumite. All the rigorous workout kindled our spirits, and made us (almost) forget about fatigue.

As a relatively new student to karate, the special session by Sensei Smoger took me on a time journey of martial arts. Her introduction of various exercises helped me to experience other styles of martial arts such as Shorin Ryu and Goju-Ryu. The best exercise was the bunkai—using various techniques from the first three katas as practiced in their style. We were shown that no matter what interpretation we give to the techniques, as long as we execute them precisely, every kata move could be surprisingly destructive.

A big first for me was to experience a Dan Exam. It was amazing to see seasoned Senseis take the exam with the same level of enthusiasm (and nervousness) as I have for my kyu exam. My untrained eye could not easily pick out any flaws in the exams, but the Technical Committee was so spot on—everyone was eager to hear their comments. The room was so quiet when the exam was going on, you could hear a pin drop!

The entire experience of the seminar was truly fulfilling. We had some past senior students of the JKA Dallas karate club travel from far just to take part in the training, and it was fun to pair up with some of them for old times' sake. The camaraderie and light-hearted banter provided the necessary comic relief during the workouts. In the end, I was reinforced with the idea that there is really no substitute for good karate technique that is developed through earnest training. I am glad to have been part of this unique opportunity.

AAKF National Seminar, Spring 2016 The University of Texas at Dallas, TX. By Cherise Chin-Fatt, Southwestern Region

Sensei Robert Fusaro demonstrating good stance

at the AAKF National Seminar, Dallas TX

Balance check for maegiri at the AAKF National Seminar;

John Hyatt (left) and Frederick Turner

Paired up training at the AAKF National Seminar: from left,

Thien Vinh, Cherise Chin Fatt, Sensei Richard Kageyama.

Study of maegiri at the AAKF National Seminar; Anjali

Krishnan (left) and Soolmaz Abooali.

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The World Cup that is held at Dojo Stara Wies showcasing the best talent from across the entire organization has always been one of those 'bucket list' items for me. The tournament itself has held much prestige over the years and to be selected to represent your country is obviously a high honor. One that I did not take lightly when I was asked to do just that, and travel to Poland and compete in the World Cup. I knew this was something that I'd probably never repeat, and that it would be an opportunity of a lifetime.

Firstly, for those unaware, let me explain the World Cup tournament. Athletes are nominated by their country to represent at the tournament. The tournament itself is a unique experience. Normally the World Cup selects 8 athletes from across the globe to represent the best of Traditional Karate. This particular year they expanded it to 12 men and 9 women. Last year marked the 8th Individual World Cup and 3rd Intercontinental Kumite Cup consisting of a Team Kumite tournament within the event. At any rate, the tournament normally goes as follows. Round 1 is a Kitei match, followed by Kumite. A lot like the Fukugo event, however there is a back door for those that lose twice in the first rounds to win their way into the final 4. The Kitei and Kumite rounds continue until the top 8 are reduced to top 4 and bottom 4. Since there is immense respect amongst the athletes and no real determination of who competed better in the bottom half you are all ranked 5th if you do not advance to the top bracket. Once in the top bracket you then transition to your Individual Kata. Performing two individual katas the top 4 athletes are then ranked 1-4 and the final Kumite matches begin, with the last match being a Sanbon Kumite, which means three separate matches between the top 2 competitors. All in all, the event spans about 2-3 hours and is amazing to watch such great competitors in action.

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Since this year they selected 12 men and 9 women there was a slight difference in my event. We had an extra round robin style Kitei bracket to reduce the numbers down to 8. The World Cup system really only works with 8 so it had to be done. I can remember thinking to myself that even though the honor was in being asked to go, how disappointed I'd be in myself if I didn't make it out of those first elimination rounds. Every single athlete there was top quality competitor and the Kitei rounds were amazing. If you've watched Nationals or even International tournaments with Kitei there is always inevitably a red flag signifying some sort of mistake or flaw in the kata for the judges to pinpoint. I don't remember there being one red flag in a dozen or more Kitei performances. No one missed their mark, no one lost their balance on the jump, every one of them was amazing. I was in a bracket with an Argentinian, Czech, and a Polish athlete. I managed to win all my Kitei matches except for the one against the Polish athlete and advance to the top 8. My first Kitei match in the World Cup was against my friend from Argentina and when I saw the white flag raised meaning no penalties, I held my breath. Flags came up and I was the winner. All I had to do was win a Kumite match and I would be in the top 4. As the bracket proceeded I saw my options. I would do Kumite against a Brazilian athlete (Captain of the World Championship Team Kumite at the Geneva World Championships) or a Polish athlete (World Champion Mens Kumite at the Geneva World Championships). Rather than wallow in self-doubt I convinced myself that I could either be very lucky, or very good in that moment or not worry about it. As it happened I ended up with the Brazilian athlete and fought a very spirited match, but lost.

Continued on Page 4

2015 World Cup Experience By Marcus Wenner, Southwestern Region

World Cup Kumite: David Rojowski

(Poland) vs Marcus Wenner (USA)

World Cup Team Panamerica: from left: Donald Crowe, Claudio Jurado, Marcus Wenner

Instructors and participants at the AAKF

2016 Spring National Seminar,

held in Dallas, TX,

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I would have been finished there and happy. The experience was amazing and I couldn't have been more satisfied. But it wasn't over yet. In an effort to even out the Intercontinental Kumite Cup they had put together a Pan American Team for Team Kumite, which consisted of myself, my good friend Donald Crowe from Canada and the Argentinian athlete Claudio Jurado. We were to battle in the Team Kumite cup against Team Europe, Team Poland, and Team Brazil (the defending champions). Team Europe had to pull out due to injuries so that left just three teams. My first thought in all honesty was that I was thankful we only had to fight one of these monster teams. That was shattered quickly when we found out it was Round Robin. We fought both. Spirited matches on both fronts and utmost respect for these warrior-athletes. We got them warmed up to face each other and it was an amazing match to watch. I'm thankful I was a part of it.

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This article started out as a simple recounting of my travels and experiences in this great and prestigious event but I think the true message I want to convey has finally bubbled up. No matter how hard you train, or how prepared you are for a competition. There will always be ups and downs, triumphs and fears. You have to allow yourself to embrace the experience. Facing competitors of every caliber will teach you something. Winning teaches you something, losing teaches more. So take every single opportunity you can to embrace those lessons. Nothing corrects behavior quicker than failure or loss, so go all the way to that point every single chance you get. Be comfortable being uncomfortable, and emerge on the other side better than you were. I've rarely been the champion at the top of the podium but I wouldn't trade my wealth of experience over my 30 years of training karate for a million gold medals. Thanks so much to the AAKF and the Board of Directors for allowing me the experience. Something I will always truly treasure and will never forget.

2015 World Cup Continued

“No matter how hard you train, or how prepared you are for a competition, there

will always be ups and downs, triumphs and fears. You have to allow yourself to embrace the experience.

... Winning teaches you something, losing teaches

you more.”

Stance study at the AAKF Spring National Seminar. From left: Anjali Krishnan, John Bell, John Hyatt,

Michael Escamilla, Elton Dinga, Tuan Huynh

Sensei Ilene Smoger, 7th Dan, Okinawan Shorin Ryu, explains the lineage of Okinawan and

Japanese traditional karate.

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Photographs published courtesy of:

John Bell, Southwestern Region

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