Shimbun #5

SHIMBUN £5 • $14.50 AUD

ISSUE #5

F1 FITNESS

GOING THE EXTRA MILE IN THE DOJO

GIVEAWAY

GRAB YOURSELF A BLAZEPOD BUNDLE

KREESE COBRA KAI KELLAWAY

CEASEFIRE ARMY VET FINDS PEACE FROM PTSD

E T A R A S

K EVER DIE N

ISSUE #5 •WELCOME

A THANK YOU TO KARATE’S CRUELLEST A CAREER in journalism has quite literally taken me around the world.

As a defence correspondent, I have covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo and Macedonia, visited peacekeeping missions across Africa and reported on military exercises in Canada, the USA and Jamaica.

Similarly, sport has taken me to Australia for the Commonwealth Games, Italy for a Winter Olympics and seen me hurtle down a bobsleigh run in Austria.

I’ve met royalty, interviewed a Prime Minister and quizzed Olympians, boxing world champions, Rugby World Cup winners, cricketing greats — take a bow, Shane Warne and Michael Vaughan — and a succession of international footballers.

I’m sharing this potted resume not to brag,

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but to demonstrate the apathetic approach my eldest son affords my chosen professional path. Aside from revelling in the gifts I’ve brought him home from far-flung places, he has never been particularly impressed by my stories of derring-do with a dictaphone and reporter’s notebook.

One man changed all of that during the production of this issue — lifting me from a virtual zero to hero in the Simms household just with the very mention of his name.

So a heartfelt thank you to Martin Kove (pages 18-23).

Aside from being part of a movie franchise that has done so much for the sport of karate and a TV series that has thrust martial arts back into the global glare and entertained millions during a difficult time for many (pages 24-31), you’ve provided this fast-greying father with some serious kudos.

And in addition to that not insignificant feat, you were a genuine pleasure to interview.

The polar opposite of your on-screen persona — the abominable Sensei John Kreese — you were generous with your time, warm in character and demonstrated an enduring passion for your art and martial arts.

Consequently, we are delighted to have you as our cover star and look forward to sharing your own father and son story in issue 6, which will also feature further exclusive interviews with Cobra Kai cast members.

Elsewhere in this bumper 68-page edition, we meet the karateka who, like Kreese, was left mentally scarred by events of the Vietnam War (pages 36-37), talk to the black belt now part of Britain’s thin blue line (pages 38-39) and bid a sad farewell to Sensei Ann Eyes — GKR Karate’s Mrs Miyagi (pages 10-11).

We’ve also got some training tips for you from the world of Formula One (pages 56-59) and welcome a new fitness expert (60-61) and two freshly-drawn heroes (pages 62-63) to our line-up.

As ever, Shimbun is your magazine so please keep sharing your stories, successes and suggestions with us.

Enjoy the issue.

Andy Simms, editor

DEBUT

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO MAKE THEIR MARK

Web: shimbunmag.com Email: shimbun@gkrkarate.com Tel: 01252 714870 Write: 10 Borelli Yard, Farnham, GU9 7NU Content © Debut 2021 • All rights reserved.

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ISSUE #5 •CONTENTS

10

56 38

62 32

IN THIS ISSUE

04

06 Bow in: Shihan Gavin Samin reflects on

the life lessons available to martial artists

24 Streaming sensations: We sit down

with the creators of TV smash Cobra Kai

09 Competition: Light up your dojo by

scooping a BlazePod bundle

32 Career kick-start: Gianni DeCenzo on

the perks of Miyagi-Do and making out

10 Remembering Mrs Miyagi: Sensei and

students pay their tributes to Ann Eyes

36 Refocussed: Vietnam veteran finds

peace from PTSD in the dojo

18 Kreese is the word: Shimbun meets the

man behind the ‘no mercy’ mantras

38 A Force for good: Meet the black belt

bolstering Britain’s thin blue line

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18

50

40

60

36

40 Social isolation: Team GB karateka Joe

Kellaway on the sacrifices of sport

60 Cement your core: Our new fitness guru

on building a firm foundation

50 All-round artist: Young dojo star sets

his sights on Hollywood

62 Karate Town: Comic book heroes Shino

and Tsuki make their debut

56 Going the distance: F1 coach shares tips

on taking your karate the extra mile

66 Retro kicks: We take a nostalgic trip

down gaming’s memory lane Issue #5

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BOW IN•SHIHAN GAVIN SAMIN

AFFECT WHAT YOU CAN, ACCEPT WHAT YOU CAN’T A BIG hello to all of our GKR Karate families around the world and welcome to the first edition of Shimbun for 2021.

Whilst it’s always preferable to look forward as opposed to back, it would seem odd not to at least begin this address without acknowledging the extremely difficult period we’ve all just experienced.

For most people, 2020 was equal parts frustrating, disruptive and upsetting, and — for some — perhaps even a little scary. I hope that you and your loved ones have been able to stay well throughout and are adjusting to the changes we’ve had to make in both our work and social lives.

As this edition of Shimbun goes to print, the exciting news is that the UK is just starting to re-open and most regions in Australia and New Zealand are coming towards the end of their run of snap lockdowns.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to the many GKR instructors around the world who have put their hand up to teach Zoom classes and stay connected with their students while we are unable to meet together in the dojo.

It’s important for us all to remember that challenges didn’t enter our lives for the first time when Covid hit. There were economic, social and health issues to face well before the pandemic struck, and there will be others after it has gone. In the end, we are inevitably drawn towards the old cliche that “it’s not what happens that determines the course of your life, it’s what you do about what happens that makes the difference”. Life’s mixed bag of experiences will test everyone’s resolve at some point. The question is, will you be ready to take the exam?

It was once well said that “if the territory is different to the map, then the map is wrong”.

In other words, if what’s happening around the world, or in your local community, is constantly in opposition with what you expect, then your outlook may need to change. Failure to realise this may only lead to greater frustration and an enhanced sense of helplessness.

During trying times like lockdowns it is imperative that we exercise patience, remain as positive as possible, stay connected with the key people in our lives and keep physically active. When I contemplate these actions, I am particularly grateful to have karate in my life, 06

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and even more thankful that I am part of a big karate community like GKR. The martial arts have been a major part of my teenage and adult life. The dojo has taught me a lot about managing fears, delivering under the weight of expectation, handling poor performances, accepting my own limitations and genuinely admiring the abilities of others.

It has helped me understand that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard, that repetition is the mother of skill, and that I could use my body to train my mind. It showed me how things always look worse from the sidelines than they do when the challenge is in front of you; that on a given day anyone can be beaten, and that participation is in itself a measure of toughness. The martial art ‘way’ or ‘do’ also reminds us that we never stop learning; that we can never know it all. In other words, there is no summit — there is only

“THE SECRET TO BEING RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF CHALLENGES IS TAKING ACTION. IT’S NOT THE WHISTLE THAT MOVES THE TRAIN.” aspiration, training and progressive outcomes.

In the end, the secret to being resilient in the face of challenges is taking action. People always talk about what they want but when all is said and done, more is said than done.

Thinking about ploughing doesn’t get the job done. It’s not the whistle that moves the train.

In the end, we are not what we think or what we say or how we feel. We are what we do!

Within the martial arts, achieving your black belt is obviously a major accomplishment.

The mental and physical commitment towards difficult tasks within the dojo over many years is a character-strengthening exercise. And it is precisely this mental and physical conditioning that will instil an inner

toughness over time and equip us with the emotional tools to remain strong in the face of life’s challenges.

There are obvious parallels between the trials we face with Covid and the strains that an elite athlete deals with when they suffer an injury. An injury is an event outside of an athlete’s control that slows them down and prevents them from doing what they love — and perhaps even what they get paid to do.

Covid-19 has been an injury to society as a whole. The pandemic has undoubtedly injured economies as well as the confidence, health and overall wellbeing of communities.

During enforced periods on the sidelines, elite athletes must be patient. They have to keep in mind that pushing themselves to get back too early is likely to see them aggravate their injury. Most importantly, they must always maintain focus on the long game — that time when they’ll be back to 100 per cent fitness and performing at their peak.

Our karate classes and the lives we used to live will be back soon, and like elite athletes we must adopt an attitude in the interim of doing what we can, when we can, with all the resources we have at our disposal. This lies at the heart of the winner’s mindset and personifies the type of psychological strength that is synonymous with the black belt or serious karate-ka.

Use your body, through karate training, to strengthen your mind and then harness this strength to lend emotional support to others who may be struggling through this unsettling period. Training at home may not be easy, but it’s not impossible. Don’t wait for motivation because sometimes it doesn’t show up and when it does, it’s often late. Discipline and consistency kicks motivation’s butt any day of the week. In fact, motivation usually arrives after you’ve started. This is the secret that all black belts know and acknowledge!

Lastly, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the entire Shimbun team for their professionalism, hard work and for their commitment to our club and its students. I know you’ll enjoy this latest edition and I urge you to spread the word amongst your fellow students about the magazine and what is has to offer our community.

Here’s to a bigger and much brighter 2021.

— Gavin Samin, Assistant Chief Instructor

“USE YOUR BODY, THROUGH KARATE TRAINING, TO STRENGTHEN YOUR MIND AND THEN HARNESS THIS STRENGTH TO LEND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO OTHERS WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING THROUGH THIS UNSETTLING PERIOD.”

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PLS…part of your community, not a predator While we won’t spoil anything for those not among the 41 million households to have already watched Season 3 of Cobra Kai, the team at PLS Solicitors can confirm that we remain huge cheerleaders of Johnny Lawrence.

Long considered a villain of The Karate Kid universe, the character continues to prove to viewers that he is not the bad apple people perceived him to be.

As members of the legal profession, we’ve got Johnny’s back because we know how unfair it feels to be “typecast” and misjudged.

Lawyers are often labelled as “sharks” – cold-blooded creatures only interested in sinking their teeth into clients’ cash reserves – and, although we can’t talk for our whole profession, it is a stereotype that simply doesn’t stick at PLS. There’s no Cobra Kai-style “strike hard, strike fast, no mercy” mantra on the walls of our offices and, far from being a

proverbial snake in the grass, we are committed to caring for our customers.

As a law firm specialising in property transactions, our focus is on easing the stresses and strains associated with moving home and being a reassuring and informed voice for those left confused by conveyancing.

Furthermore, we care about the communities in which we operate. We have championed those on the frontline of the battle to curb the coronavirus pandemic through the provision of a 50 per cent discount for NHS staff and have consequently helped hundreds of healthcare professionals to open the doors to new homes.

We also rally around those who invest in the physical and mental wellbeing of others. Which is why we have partnered with Shimbun to provide free copies of this issue to all GKR Karate students who train at dojos on the doorstep of our Manchester headquarters and sponsored a superb prize (see page 9) for you to fight for!

PLS Solicitors are in your corner, so whether you are taking your first step onto the property ladder or looking to secure your forever home, we’re stood in heiko-dachi and ready to guide you through the conveyancing kata.

CALL NOW FOR A FREE QUOTE 0330 024 4536 info@pls-solicitors.co.uk

pls-solicitors.co.uk

NEWS•COMPETITION

IT’S TIME TO LIGHT UP YOUR DOJO DETERMINED to put the dark days of the coronavirus pandemic firmly behind us, we’ve teamed up with the bright minds and souls at PLS Solicitors to give Shimbun readers the chance to win a BlazePod bundle for your dojo.

The innovative kit — a veritable black belt in flash reaction light training — is ideal for sharpening reflexes, improving agility and finessing attack-defence transitions.

BlazePod’s supporting app boasts dozens of fun drills to prepare karateka for kumite and,

in addition to bringing some light relief to sessions, will help make students quicker on their feet as they move around the mats.

To be in with a shout of the prize, we want students, sempai and sensei to show off their GKR Karate gi outside of class.

Whether wearing a gi to make a cup of tea

or climb a tree, simply share a photo or video with us via email (shimbun@gkrkarate.com) or on one of our social media channels by May 14th, 2021.

The winner will be randomly selected from those entries that bring smiles to faces and brighten days! Good luck.

KARATEKA’S HEART OF GOLD SHOWS of support for those in the medical profession may have been plentiful throughout 2020, but karateka Brooke Graham’s act of gratitude proved a cut above simply “clapping for carers”.

As a thank you for the lifesaving care she received at Birmingham Children’s Hospital as a baby, the now nine-yearold volunteered to raise funds by losing her locks and shaving her head last summer.

The GKR Karate student, who trains at the Belgrave dojo in Tamworth, underwent major heart surgery within days of being born — and weighing just 5lb 9oz — after doctors discovered she had a narrowing of the aortic arch, a thin valve and hole between the organ’s bottom two chambers.

Brooke spent a week in intensive care — and further six weeks moving between wards — following the complex procedure before finally heading home with relieved parents Jayne and Damien.

Demonstrating beyond doubt that doctors had left her with a good heart, it was Brooke who devised the dual plan to donate her ponytail to a child

fighting illness and pump funds in the direction of the West Midlands hospital.

After discussing the logistics with loved ones, Brooke decided to pledge her hair to The Little Princess Trust — a charity specialising in providing wigs to children and young people affected by cancer — and a JustGiving page was set up to collect sponsorship for her healthcare heroes.

Within 24 hours of its launch, the Region 25 karateka had smashed her original target of £300 and her extreme haircut, which was live-streamed on Instagram and Facebook, raised more than £1,400 for the hospital she visits annually for an ultrasound and ECG. “Brooke loves her hair and as a family, we are extremely proud of her for what she has

done,” mum Jayne said. “She has always been a thoughtful yet crazy child, but we were still taken back by her generosity.”

It’s not too late to show your support for Brooke — donations can be made at justgiving.com/ fundraising/brookesheadshave Issue #5

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IN MEMORIAM• SENSEI ANN EYES

FAREWELL TO A LEADING LADY

T

HOSE people who have a profound, deep and truly lifechanging impact on you do not come around very often, writes Sensei Antonie de Bruin.

I refer to those special few whom, simply by virtue of the way in which they conduct themselves and guide and interact with others, motivate and challenge you to be better. Without question, Sensei Ann Eyes was one of this amazing minority.

Ann walked into her first GKR Karate class more than 20 years ago in Wellington, New Zealand.

It was a debut she had long dreamed of and, to her peers, the 50-something’s decision to dabble with the martial arts undoubtedly came across as being totally “out there” — albeit in keeping with her bubbling enthusiasm and can-do attitude.

When I arrived in New Zealand, Ann made an immediate impression on me, as it seems she did with so many privileged to have met her.

Very quickly, I realised Ann was not one to be trifled with and nor did she want any concessions just because she had chosen to kickstart her karate career relatively late in the day.

I was immediately taken by how she was absolutely dedicated to her training, always seeking ways to improve her technique.

It was impossible not to be thoroughly impressed by her dedication and tenacity in class, always making sure she had whatever technique we were working on absolutely correct.

It was only sometime later that I realised her fastidious pursuit of excellence was primarily to ensure she was passing on the best possible information to her students.

Ann never did anything by halves — if she was in, she was all in. Training, special events,

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“ANN NEVER DID ANYTHING BY HALVES – IF SHE WAS IN, SHE WAS ALL IN. TRAINING, SPECIAL EVENTS, TOURNAMENTS AND EVEN THE ODD AFTER-PARTY – EVERYTHING.” tournaments and even the odd after-party — everything. She never missed an opportunity to expand her circle of family and friends, and grabbed every opportunity to compete, travelling

to do so at World Cups in Australia and the UK. Those who met Ann will remember her wry smile, somewhat cheeky attitude and utter determination to give her all to her kata and kumite.

As a GKR Karate instructor she mentored and was an inspiration to many students over the years, and many of those she taught have gone on to become instructors themselves.

Sensei Ann epitomised the meaning of sensei, which to martial artists means much more than just “teacher” and refers to individuals who have walked the path. Sensei Ann walked her path — always leading.

Ann’s attitude didn’t waver when it came to her fight with cancer. She attacked it head on, denying it the ability to dramatically slow her down. She took the treatment and then “soldiered on”.

She endured several rounds and would send me updates to let me know she was still in the game, looking to come to classes whenever I came through Wellington. She was determined to continue with her training and was a shining example of not giving up — no matter the odds.

I was privileged to be permitted the honour of presenting Ann with her Yondan (4th Dan) last year. Her unwavering determination to not give up and to “leave it all in the dojo” humbled us all.

When I was fortunate enough to catch up with Ann in the last couple of weeks before she passed, she was still talking up a storm about her travels, her friends, her students, fellow instructors and her greater GKR Karate family.

On behalf of those fortunate enough to be a part of that extended karate family, I’d like to express my deepest sympathies to her family.

I also encourage those who knew Ann to emulate both her passion for training and drive to do the best, whatever the circumstances. “Rensoku chikara nari” — the true power is in never giving up.

My everlasting memory of Ann will be her lovely smile and her ability to make friends with almost everyone she met.

– Neville Saunders Success is not what you accomplish in life, it is about how you inspire others to succeed – this is how we can best describe our relationship with our beloved friend Sensei Ann (Miyagi).

- John & Rina Kennerley The first time I saw Ann was at a sensei grading and she was attempting Shodan-Ho. The senior instructor at the time really pushed her but she held her own, and this impressed me.

It was from that point forward that I knew she was someone worth listening to.

– Greg Peek To put it simply, Ann was and will always be my friend, my mentor, my sensei. That covers it all really.

– Alan Moule My strongest memory of Ann was the first day of training as her Sensei. I recall commenting to the class that day that I was

not particularly impressed with their efforts. I later found out that Sensei Ann vowed to prove me wrong and over time she did.

Obviously from there she became an awesome inspiration to us all.

Ann earned the nickname of Mrs Miyagi, which she loved.

- Joseph Burling (one of Ann’s first instructors) The biggest impression Sensei Ann had on me was in the way she approached teaching. She always came from a place of compassion, understanding and an unwavering belief in her students.

- Josh Saunders If we think of our dojo kun, Sensei Ann is someone I can truly say encapsulates all of those qualities and has always done so. They are ingrained in her DNA... highest standards of personal character, spirit of effort and perseverance, courtesy, respect and sincerity.

Sensei Ann leaves a legacy through her friends, family and every karateka she has instructed, coached and mentored.

– Malcolm White We formed a great relationship through training together regularly, many social occasions as well as a few World Cup trips.

Ann had time for everyone she met. One of my favourite stories was from the 2003 World Cup in Birmingham. On the final night we were enjoying some celebratory vinos with Ann, her husband Les and the rest of the New Zealand team. Ann asked what I was doing after the tournament and I told her I was taking the train to Bath to stay with a friend. Ann turned to Les and said ‘instead of heading north as planned, why don’t we

take Greg to Bath?’. Les, of course, replied ‘yes dear’. The next day we had one of the best road trips I have been on, exploring the back roads and never once getting lost… (yeah right). RIP Ann. – Greg O’Connor What I will remember most about Sensei Ann is that more than being an instructor, she was very much a nurturer. This was especially so with the kids, but moreover her warm touch was felt by everyone.

– Kelly Saunders Sensei Ann not only brought people together in the dojo, but she also expanded that friendship and family to her home and her life. I could not have imagined having a greater friend to help steer and inspire me. Ann was like a mum to many and I relied on her advice and wisdom more than I realised. She will forever be my family, as will her husband Les, for they both opened their hearts and their homes.

– Kathleen My favourite memory of Ann was back when she was a very feisty yellow or orange belt and we were sparring. I remember thinking ‘this lady’s never going to learn to back off’! She had no fear and was so eager to learn.

– Paula Bettiol My strongest memory of Ann was her commitment. When preparing for a World Cup she organised the moving of hundreds of boxes at her work to create a kata ring for training at lunchtime. I will miss the laughter at Friday drinks, the Christmas functions, and especially Hawaiian-themed nights, where she was always

accompanied by her husband Les. – Chris Ball Ann was always there to encourage me and put me back on track when I became frustrated or disheartened. As a sensei she had the unique ability to relate to her students, giving them the support and encouragement they needed to succeed not only on their karate journey but in other areas of their life.

– Ulrike Hubl You were the kindest, most thoughtful and kick-butt woman I have known. Strong and funny; loved and respected by so many of your students and their families. You have made such a difference in so many people’s lives and opened your heart and home to us all, sharing with us your life and passions. You taught me what being sensei and a leader was, and I followed in your footsteps with pride. You listened to my woes and gave me helpful advice, but never held back from kicking me in the butt when I needed it. I owe my karate to you.

– Tracy, Adrian, Joseph, Neive & Erin Issue #5

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NEWS•GRADINGS

MAKING THE GRADE

From Abby to Zoe, Shimbun salutes a few of those students who have recently taken another major stride in their GKR Karate journey Abby Dunbar, Nidan, Region 29 (29/11/20) Abigail Davies, 5th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Agastya Sharma, 6th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) Ahryannah Banks, 3rd Kyu, Region 14 (13/9/20) Aiden McConnell, 2nd Kyu, Region 38 (2020) Alison Clews, 7th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) Alison Nicoll-Ghianti, 1st Kyu, Region 38 (2020)

Ahryannah Banks

Allegra Harvey

Allegra Harvey, 5th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (5/20) Allegra Harvey, 4th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Andrew Wilson, 6th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Anna Nolan, 4th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) An Quan, 3rd Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020)

Ashlyn Hunt

Ashlyn Hunt, 2nd Kyu, Region 14 (13/9/20)

Billie & Scott Wills

Billie Wills, 4th Kyu, Auckland, Region 19 (13/12/20) Billy Brundish, 5th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) Brigette Finlay, 1st Kyu, Region 14 (11/10/20) Brooke Lawson, 3rd Kyu, Region 14 (11/10/20) Cameron Wallis, 2nd Kyu, Region 14 (13/9/20)

Brigette Finlay

Brooke Lawson

Chloe Rebecca Dyche, 4th Kyu, Region 25 (24/1/21) Daisy Wilson, 6th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Daniel Fernance, Nidan, Region 2 (6/12/20) Daniel Higginbotham, 8th Kyu, Region 25 (25/10/20) Demi Keeling Roz, 6th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Don Quan, 3rd Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) Doug Bayliss, 3rd Kyu, Region 25 (24/1/21)

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Cameron Wallis

Daniel Ferna

nce

Eleanor Henley, 8th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) Ella MacDougall, 8th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) Emile Bonne Slaley, 8th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Emily Boxall, 7th Kyu, Deepcut, Region 38 (2020) Eric Rai, 7th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) Evie Dwyer, 7th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Evie Walton, 8th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21)

Doug Bayliss

Farshad Azizi, 6th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20)

The Dunbars

Geoff Sables, 5th Kyu, Region 38 (8/20) George Type, 8th Kyu, Deepcut, Region 38 (2020) Harman Singh, 7th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Harmanjot Singh, 7th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Harrison Rowlands, 4th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21)

Grading gifts!

Harry Cockerton, 2nd Kyu, Region 14 (11/10/20)

Harry Cockerton

Harry Higginbotham, 8th Kyu, Region 25 (25/10/20) Harry Simms, 3rd Kyu, Region 38 (20/12/20) Hattie Mcaulay, 5th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Hayden Watson-Turk, 6th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Heloul Perwani, 3rd Kyu, Region 24 (10/20)

Harry Simms

The Higginbothams

Holly Korbely, 5th Kyu, Region 25 (24/1/21) Isabella Fernance, 3rd Kyu, Region 2 (13/12/20) Jacqui Brundish, 8th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) James Hale, 6th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) Jessica Ricards, 3rd Kyu, Region 14 (15/7/20) Jia Yan Li, 4th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020)

ernance

Isabella F

Jessica Ricards

Joel Zbogar, 3rd Kyu, Region 14 (13/9/20) John Hall, 8th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) John McAvan, 1st Kyu, Region 13 (13/12/20) Jonah Fairhall, 3rd Kyu, Canberra, Region 16 (13/12/20) Joseph Bammann, 8th Kyu, Region 38 (1/21) Josephine Rowan, Region 2 (13/12/20)

Joel Zbogar

John McAvan

Joshua Burren, 2nd Kyu, Region 11 (13/12/20) Joshua Korbely, 8th Kyu, Region 25 (24/1/21) Karen Slaley, 8th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Issue #5

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Karim Maher, 6th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Kate Turton, 3rd Kyu, Region 14 (3/9/20) Keith Rowley, 4th Kyu, Chosen Hill, Region 34 (25/10/20) Kelly Hampton, 6th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (25/10/20)

Jonah Fairhall

Kelly Hampton, 5th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21)

Joshua Burren

Kyle Stevenson, 4th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Laura Hodgkiss, 2nd Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (25/10/20) Layla Dwyer, 5th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Layton Dwyer, 4th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Lei Yan, 4th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020)

Kate Turton

Keith Rowley

Lewis Wilson, 6th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Loki Sables, 5th Kyu, Region 38 (9/20) Louis Bonne Slaley, 8th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Lucy Graham, 1st Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (25/10/20) Luke Bowerman, 1st Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (25/10/20) Macy McDermott, 5th Kyu, Wibsey, Region 10 (1/11/20)

Kelly Hampton

The Korbelys

Maddie Mcaulay, 1st Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (25/10/20) Mae Small, 8th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Maisie Hibberd, 6th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 Manraj Singh, 7th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Matilda Harvey, 6th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21)

gkiss

Laura Hod

Loki Sables

Mia McNamara, Shodan, Region 11 (29/11/20) Mike Hibberd, 6th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) Mounir Hashem, 7th Kyu, Deepcut, Region 38 (2020) Nancy Bugler, 6th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Naresh Kori, 5th Kyu, Deepcut, Region 38 (2020) Nariman Hashem, 7th Kyu, Deepcut, Region 38 (2020)

Lucy Graham

Luke Bowerman

Natalie Priest, 7th Kyu, Deepcut, Region 38 (2020) Nathan Valdez, 6th Kyu, Deepcut, Region 38 (2020) Noah Bowerman, 4th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Oakley Harvey, 7th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Ollie Hibberd, 6th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) Pawan Rana, 6th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20)

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The McDermotts

Peter Watson, Shodan-Ho, Region 2 (12/20)

Phil Kidner, 4th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21)

Zoe McDermott, 5th Kyu, Wibsey, Region 10 (1/11/20)

Pujani Maldeniya, 3rd Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Radu Bonoiu, 6th Kyu, Dallington, Region 33 (20/12/20) Reema Patel, 6th Kyu, Dallington, Region 33 (20/12/20) Reyon Samaratunge, 7th Kyu, Region 38 (2020) Riley Korbely, 4th Kyu, Region 25 (24/1/21) Riley Langridge, 8th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020)

Mia McNamara

Peter Watson

Robert Higginbotham, 8th Kyu, Region 25 (25/10/20) Robert Mann, 8th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Roger Bammann, 8th Kyu, Region 38 (1/21) Rose Shaw, 6th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Sam Walton, 8th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Sanmeet Singh, 8th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20)

Radu Bonoiu

Reema Patel

Sarah Garcia, 2nd Kyu, Region 14 (11/10/20) Scott Rowlands, 4th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Scott Wills, 5th Kyu, Auckland, Region 19 (13/12/20) Shannon Wilson, 8th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Sharyn Dunbar, Nidan, Region 29 (29/11/20)

Sarah Garcia

Josephine Rowan

Stewart Anderson, 6th Kyu, Region 25 (25/10/20) Stewart Anderson, 5th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Tegan Watts, 8th Kyu, Cheltenham, Region 34 (19/12/20) Theunis Grobler, 1st Kyu, St Clair, Region 2 (11/20) Timothy Anderson, Nidan, Cooma, Region 16 (12/12/20) Tracey Cracknell, 7th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21)

nderson

Stewart A

Tegan Watts

Ueslin Drici, 7th Kyu, North Camp, Region 38 (2020) Umayer Hashem, 7th Kyu, Deepcut, Region 38 (2020) Vanessa Uden, 4th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Veer Singh, 7th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Vethesh Thivakaran, 5th Kyu, Region 24 (10/20) Vivien Win, 6th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21)

Theunis Grobler

Timothy Anderson

Wayne Dunbar, Nidan, Region 29 (29/11/20) William Snart, 4th Kyu, Rugeley, Region 25 (24/1/21) Xander Valdez, 6th Kyu, Deepcut, Region 38 (2020) Zac Somerfield, 2nd Dan, Nerang, Region 25 (29/11/20)

Zac Somerfield

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I A K A C OBR L SPECIA

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT IN A SHIMBUN SPECIAL, WE TAKE A PROLONGED PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE TV REBOOT BEATING ALL BEFORE IT...

Meet the man behind the ‘no mercy’ mantras 18-23 Screen sensei – we catch up with the show’s creators 24-31 The lowdown on Demetri 32-33 Picture: Jace Downs

EXCLUSIVE•MARTIN KOVE

IRONING OUT THE KREESES Martin Kove on reprising the role of cinema’s most sinister sensei

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AUDED for being loathed, Sensei John Kreese did not need to stage a comeback and corrupt a new generation of Californian karateka to cement his standing as a movie and martial arts malefactor.

The character’s legacy as a villain of Darth Vader-esque proportions was secured long before his return to our screens was imagined and scripted by the creators of Cobra Kai (pages 24-31).

As the chief antagonist of The Karate Kid, one of the highest grossing films of 1984, and a proverbial bad penny in its two sequels, the Vietnam War veteran quickly attained cult status for his Machiavellian methods in the dojo and memorable lines.

The popularity of Kreese, however, was not immediately apparent to Martin Kove — the man behind the monster and “no mercy” mantras — who conceded to Shimbun that he didn’t fully appreciate the hit he had on his hands until almost a decade after his debut in the franchise.

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“IT WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE PHENOMENA IN CINEMA WHERE THE MAGIC WORKS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HIT A HOME RUN IN A ROLE AND IT BECOMES A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING.”

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“I was at an autograph show in New York in 1992 and I still didn’t realise the success of this film [The Karate Kid], I really didn’t,” the celebrated actor said, recalling how years earlier he had skipped the original movie’s premiere and did not sit down to watch his performance until months after its release.

“The cast of The Last House on the Left, a dreadful horror movie I’d made, were there and I suddenly had all these kids coming up to my table saying ‘no mercy’ and ‘mercy is for the weak’.

“That happened all day and all weekend long — there were just lines and lines of people — and I felt bad for my former colleagues because I was getting all the attention.

“That’s when I realised how important the movie was to so many people; people who were either bullied, had a romance that didn’t work out or were a fish out of water in the sense that their parents moved around.”

While Martin has since had little choice but to grow accustomed to delighted shouts of “sweep the leg” from strangers seemingly blind to the plethora of parts he has gone on to play in films such as Steele Justice and Rambo: First Blood Part II, he remains modest about his personal contribution to a cinematic classic.

When pressed on why The Karate Kid captured the hearts of so many, the 75-yearold added: “Robert Mark Kamen, who wrote the movie, and I have a standing argument

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Picture: Courtesy of Netflix

“I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE DISCIPLINE AND HISTORY OF THE MARTIAL ARTS AND CULTURE OF ANCIENT CHINA AND JAPAN.”

about this. He thinks it was the charisma and chemistry between Ralph [Daniel LaRusso] and Pat [Mr. Miyagi] that made the film so successful but I think it’s down to the written word. He wrote these great lines, lines as memorable as ‘may the force be with you’, and that made for a great script.

“People talk about my character and myself being an icon but to me icons are Jack Nicholson, Anthony Hopkins and Sean Connery. An icon for me is far more than a fellow who got lucky in martial arts.

“Ralph [Macchio], Billy [Zabka] and myself didn’t even like the name Karate Kid when we did the movies — we thought it sounded like some Bruce Lee film.

“Yes, I played the part but it was just one of those phenomena in cinema where the magic works and all of a sudden you hit a home run in a role and it becomes a gift that keeps on giving.”

Kreese’s undeniable screen presence may have proved an enduring present, but it is one few ever expected to see re-wrapped for modern audiences in the form of Cobra Kai. And the chance to tie a bow on a cherished career highlight was one Martin had no reservations about grabbing once he had met with the show’s creators Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald.

“I did not want the role to be one dimensional,” added the father of two, whose first taste of television stardom came as a long-running member of the cast of US police drama Cagney and Lacey during the 1980s.

“In the movies my character was a black hat and Miyagi and Daniel were the white hats and I didn’t want this to be about playing just another heavy. I wanted people to learn about Kreese’s full story — why he is the way he is and why he was that way in the movies.

“I had no issues with revisiting the role as long as it was going to be diversified — as long as the writers were going to explore his

Picture: CURTIS BONDS BAKER/NETFLIX

“EVERYTHING IN COBRA KAI IS GREY – THERE ISN’T ONE VILLAIN VERSUS ONE HERO AND I ATTRIBUTE THAT TO THE WONDERFUL WRITING.” background, give him a woman and learn about his time in Vietnam. I met with mercenaries and Army Rangers and heard stories that I put down on paper; and when I talked to them [Jon, Hayden and Josh] over lunch I said this is what I want to do with the character so he is not a one-dimensional bad guy.

“They already had those notes though and were already intending to present Kreese as multi-faceted and write him with a lot of emotional colour and texture — and that’s what they did. Billy and Ralph feel the same way; we were persuaded by their intellect.

“Everything in Cobra Kai is grey — there isn’t one villain versus one hero and I attribute that to the wonderful writing.

“You have a rounding of my character and although it is not the case that people like Kreese now, they understand why he is the way he is and he is interesting to play.

Whatever goes down with him in season four and five will be fascinating, because these men can write.”

While certainly more rounded, it should not come as a major plot spoiler for the minority yet to immerse themselves in Cobra Kai’s All Valley rivalries to read that Kreese — after three seasons — is still very much the villain of the Karate Kid canon.

It is, however, a dark side to his alter-ego that Martin is at ease with portraying.

“I’ve played guys far worse than John Kreese,” he said, highlighting his performance in Price for Freedom, a film in which he plays Ayatollah Khalkhali — a cleric who became known as Iran’s hanging judge.

“If you wore red or blue in Iran during the revolution of 1979 he had you in court and your life was over.

“I had to figure out a way to accept myself in this role and to play a real-life, despicable person. You have to make yourself a hero, believe you are doing heroic things and psych yourself into them.

“With John Kreese, doing so is helped by his love for the integrity of Cobra Kai and its ‘no

mercy’ ethos. He loves Johnny Lawrence too but not as much as Cobra Kai. “When Kreese is teaching these kids he is really psyched about helping them because he believes society is soft and that Cobra Kai is the way to move forward.”

Playing a sensei, albeit a misguided one, is even less of a stretch for the veteran actor of more than 80 films given his experience of karate pre-dates The Karate Kid. “I had already begun training before I was asked to audition because I was doing a movie called The Lion of Ireland, which was based on the book by Morgan Llwelyn and the story of Brian Boru who unified tribes to fight against the rampaging Vikings,” Martin told Shimbun, explaining how his martial arts journey began under the tutelage of Takayuki Kubota — the founder of both the Gosoku-ryu style of karate and International Karate Association.

“My character was a great axe man so I was primarily doing lots of kendo, but that meant learning karate as an introduction.

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Picture: Guy D’Alema

“Shihan Takayuki was brilliant and we would go to his dojo to practise and I fell in love with the discipline and history of the martial arts and culture of ancient China and Japan.

I was doing Okinawa Te before it became popular and I used moves from it for Steele Justice. There was so much to learn but it was marvellous to discover how farmers used their rakes and hoes to fight off Samurai.”

An honorary black belt in Tiger Kenpo and Okinawa Te, Martin remains a dedicated karateka — training at his Los Angeles home whenever Cobra Kai’s busy schedule allows — and is clear as to the key ingredients for maintaining martial arts sharpness.

“You have to have enough time to train and you have to have a good teacher,” he said. “As Kreese says in season three, ‘there are no bad students, just bad teachers’.”

Fortunately for the New York-born thespian, his own martial arts mentors have not relied on the questionable tuition techniques and tournament tactics he has found fame delivering.

Pat Johnson, a 9th degree black belt in the art of American Tang Soo Do, choreographed The Karate Kid’s fight sequences and trained the movie’s leading men between takes, while Cobra Kai’s stunt team is led by the hugelytalented Hiro Koda and Jahnel Curfman (pages 32-33).

“The stunt team is brilliant,” he added. “The scenes with the kids fighting in the school at

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“IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO KNOW A KID GETTING BULLIED IS INSPIRED TO GO AND LEARN SPIN AND FORWARD KICKS AND NO LONGER BE AFRAID.”

the end of season two and in the house this year are just fantastic.

“Our kids are really, really good as well — especially Peyton List [Tory]. I remember her first day and thinking ‘why did they cast this girl?’. She couldn’t do a kick or anything and now she is exceptional.

“Pat Johnson, who ran with Chuck Norris in the 60s and 70s, is a hard man to live up to. You would think that learning karate and working with this new team would not be as rewarding but it is, they are wonderful. I truly enjoy working with these great people.”

Adding to the job satisfaction felt by Martin is the fact that history is also repeating itself.

Just as thousands of youngsters were awoken to the majesty of martial arts by The Karate Kid, Cobra Kai is already proving a catalyst for crowded karate classes.

“It is so wonderful to know that a kid getting bullied is inspired to go and learn spin and forward kicks, to no longer be afraid of people at school and have a greater level of self esteem,” Martin concluded. “I was at a tournament about five or six years ago and a man came up to me and said ‘I saw Karate Kid when I was ten and I now own 30 dojos’. A moment later a master with a long grey beard and long grey hair came up to me and, in broken English, said ‘you don’t know what you have done for the world of karate’ — I cried, I just cried. He was so sincere and you can’t help but feel good because there are people who live vicariously through these characters and feel better about themselves.”

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Photo: Cliff William Fong Photography

COBRA KAI•SPECIAL

Streaming superstars: The creative talent and Karate Kid super fans behind Netflix’s hit show Cobra Kai – (from left to right) Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg.

SCREEN SENSEI In a Shimbun exclusive, we meet the creative champions behind the cameras of Cobra Kai

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IVEN there is plenty of truth in the old adage that ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, tinkering with treasured characters and a movie franchise that has become a cinematic rite of passage for millions could so easily have been career suicide for the creators of Cobra Kai. There will certainly have been many who winced when they first heard the news that Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg — the comedic minds behind Harold & Kumar — were teaming up with Hot Tub Time Machine writer Josh Heald to spin The Karate Kid into a new narrative for YouTube Originals in 2018.

History, a switch to Netflix and in excess of 73 million viewers to date has, of course, emphatically demonstrated that any fears over tarnished legacies were woefully misplaced.

However, had the sceptics spent even the merest of moments in the company of Jon, Hayden and Josh, they would have known that The Karate Kid’s heritage was in the safest possible hands without the need to watch a single second of the streaming sensation.

As Shimbun discovered when we sat down to talk Cobra Kai, Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang with the trio, they care too much about all-things All Valley to make a martial arts misstep.

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Q: When and why did you decide to make a modern reboot of an 80s classic?

Jon: The idea of Cobra Kai as a concept first came up about 18 years ago. For the three of us, the seeds were our separate but joint love for The Karate Kid and William Zabka. It was a fascination with his career and the fact he was consistently known as the bad guy in high school movies. We knew common bullies in our own world and as we got older we talked about why someone was a bully and where they had come from, which got us fascinated with doing a show that examined the most iconic bully of our lifetime.

We were in our early 20s, Hayden and I were living together in Los Angeles having sold our first screenplay and Josh lived a block away.

The three of us used to gather every night and watch The Karate Kid special edition DVD, which had a feature interview with William where he was talking about his approach to playing Johnny. He said he viewed him as just another kid in the high school who had his own issues going on and his own life, a girlfriend that he loved and this other kid comes to town and gets involved — and the rest is history.

Josh: The original film had a huge impact on me. I was six-years-old and remember vividly it being one of the first movies I went to the theatre to see. Karate Kid was vibrant and technicolour, and I can still picture the experience to this day. It helped that I was from New Jersey and it was about a kid from New Jersey who goes on this journey. It felt special at the time and it was not surprising that it became timeless. I gobbled up the next two movies but throughout my life I kept coming back to the original. It was one that I held on to for nostalgia. I had my VHS and it was The Karate Kid and Back to the Future that I dragged around with me when

From left: Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and William Zabka Picture: CURTIS BONDS BAKER/NETFLIX © 2020

“WE WENT TO WILLIAM FIRST – I KNEW HE HAD BEEN FOLLOWED BY JOHNNY’S GHOST HIS WHOLE LIFE. THERE WAS DEFINITELY A DESIRE IN HIS HEAD TO EXORCISE THE DEMON OF JOHNNY IN SOME WAY.”

I went off to college and when I got my first apartment. As the box of videos dwindled and I had to make choices of what to get rid of, The Karate Kid never left. All three of us made that journey as Jersey kids to Los Angeles.

Jon and I both married girls who were born in LA. Growing up, my wife lived down the street from where Ali’s house was and it turns out she also had a real affinity for the movie.

There were constantly things like that in my life, and I know Jon and Hayden’s life as well, that kept calling back to The Karate Kid. Jon and Hayden knew each other from high school and I met them both in our freshman year of college. Our joint passion for the movie drew us together.

It was just this ongoing discussion between the three of us — continuously breaking down the movie and finding new gems to talk about; it was like a treasure hunt. There were just always new and special things that took us on a nostalgic journey back to our youth when we were just six years old watching Mr Miyagi on the beach for the first time doing the crane kick. It is like a drug, you are chasing that experience.

Q: How hard was it to convince members of the original cast to reprise their roles?

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Josh: There were degrees of arm twisting when it came to the actors. We went to William first because I worked with him on Hot Tub Time Machine and knew that he had been followed by Johnny’s ghost his whole life. There was definitely a desire in his head to exorcise the demon of Johnny in some sort of way. He and I kicked around trying to find something that was Johnny Lawrence-esque for him to play but it always felt a bit unauthentic because it wasn’t The Karate Kid. As soon as we knew

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this was a possibility we took him to lunch and let him unwrap the present.

Ralph was far more at arm’s length about wanting to step into the role of Daniel LaRusso ever again. He had a tremendous experience before in the role and felt the legacy was secure. He believed there was a lot of risk in taking the artefact out of the protective cover and playing with it again. We flew to New York to take him to lunch with our passion on our sleeves and ended up having this amazing fourhour meeting in an empty restaurant taking him through the whole of season one. He had lots of questions but we had answers to all of them and we weren’t making it up because we had thought about this character and the story for a long time. He latched on to that and loved the idea of exploring Daniel in a totally different way to before.

Martin Kove (pages 18-23) was a performer who would have bashed through a wall to come into this show in episode one if we had chosen to write it that way. We led with open arms and said it was going to be really difficult but we need you to stay on the sidelines for nine episodes because your entrance is a pivotal and significant moment; we want to use you as the season one cliffhanger.

He appreciated that, but as an actor who was seeing Ralph and William go off to don their gi and play these characters again, he was feeling like the kid who wasn’t invited to the party. Once he stepped in he was incredible and it was great to have the gang back together.

Q: How delighted are you that those core cast members have proved such a revelation on screen after all this time?

Hayden: We are thrilled. It starts with William

Elisabeth Shue and Josh Heald Picture: CURTIS BONDS BAKER/NETFLIX © 2020

“THE MORE QUESTIONS WE ASK ABOUT KREESE THE MORE YOU START TO APPRECIATE THAT THERE CAN BE A RICHER STORY TO TELL ABOUT THE CHARACTER.”

and Ralph but everybody who has come back on the show has been amazing. The moment we did the first chemistry read and William yelled “quiet” for the first time we knew the whole show was going to work.

Beyond that, from the original Cobras in season two to Kumiko and Chozen in season three, all of the actors have been phenomenal, slipping back into those roles like they never left them. We expected Elisabeth Shue to make us fall in love with Ali all over again and she did instantaneously. It has been really fun seeing all of these actors that we loved so much growing up in our own universe.

Q: Kreese’s comeback has proved a particular highlight. What’s it like being in the company of a legendary villain?

Jon: Martin Kove is a joy to work with, he loved the character Sensei Kreese and he loved the character passionately before we came to him with Cobra Kai. This is a man who has attended many comic cons over the last decade and he is the perfect guy there.

He has such self-awareness and a sense of humour about the character as well. He is a really funny guy, a loving father and a great friend. Every speech that he has on the show and every moment is so carefully constructed because we know how he is going to deliver it.

We know the energy that he is going to bring and how powerful it is.

Picture: Courtesy of Netflix

Josh: In the first movies he was there to be Darth Vader. He was there to have this wrong type of idea of what karate is and how it should be used as a weapon, inside the dojo or out on the street. Bringing Kreese back we get all of that baggage. The more questions we ask Issue #5

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Picture: Steve Dietl

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about Kreese the more you start to appreciate that there can be a richer story to tell about that character — it doesn’t need to forgive him, but it can provide moments of empathy.

Q: Cobra Kai challenges viewers’ perceptions of classic characters — was part of the plan to switch heroes?

Jon: It was never the intent to make it that Daniel was the villain. Our opinion as people who watched The Karate Kid was that Johnny was in the wrong with a lot of things he did in that story and Daniel was the hero. We didn’t know the whole picture of what was going on in Johnny’s life though and that is the point of Cobra Kai. To be able to examine Johnny and Daniel and have a full picture of both of their lives. Even if someone is an antagonist in your life they may be the hero of their own journey and the hero may be the antagonist in their journey. It is really about trying to understand one another as opposed to looking at things in a black and white way.

What also excited us was the idea of being able to create a whole new generation of characters that young people and audiences of all kinds can fall in love with in the same way we did with the originals. To be able to tell many stories within this universe became very exciting to us.

Q: Was there any trepidation about meddling with the past?

Josh: The most important thing was making sure that we didn’t tarnish the reputation of the franchise. We wanted it to feel like Cobra Kai was an extension of the story. That was a big portion of our pitch to networks and streamers. We had to make sure we weren’t going out to prove that we were the biggest fans of The Karate Kid and have 30

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7,000 references to the movie in every episode. It had to feel earned, and it had to have the same universal evergreen themes of the first movie but it couldn’t be done in the same way. We haven’t done anything except eat, sleep, write and direct Cobra Kai since the project began. When we make the show we live together, and when we aren’t we are always texting each other ideas. It is a conversation that never stops. What we have accomplished and seeing the reaction of the fans since day one has been great.

Q: How hard was it to supplement the familiar faces with new characters?

Josh: It was tremendously important that the show worked for an audience that had never seen The Karate Kid. The most important part was putting together the new cast and making sure they fit with the tone and tenor of the franchise but also felt contemporary.

It was an exhaustive search and I have to say it has been a pleasure to watch these performers grow up on the show. It has been great watching them get into the history of it and discover the things that are special about this franchise. It is really quite special to work with each and every one of them.

Q: Was it a prerequisite that they had any fighting experience?

Hayden: That was not the prime thing we were looking for. It was a consideration.

We knew when we were auditioning for the character of Miguel that we needed to find somebody that would be believable as someone who could be getting bullied in school but also have enough skill to become the champion of a karate tournament. It is always a positive if they have martial arts skills but acting took precedence.

Over time our younger actors are just getting better and better as they rehearse and train and practise with our stunt coordinators.

If they have the ability to do it you can make them good enough. We are not asking them to fight, we are asking them to learn the patterns and the choreography. At the end of the day, you just want people who are excited about that aspect of the role and are willing to go 110 per cent because if they do that then it really makes you feel like that character is doing that same kind of magic that you loved in the original movie.

Jon: We immediately hired Hiro Koda, who was obsessed with The Karate Kid and whose father was his sensei and taught him many disciplines of martial arts. He was already an Emmy-nominated stunt coordinator before doing our show and we were able to speak to him and talk about the philosophies of Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do. He is basically our translator. Anything that we write he is able to communicate with us how to do it in the most authentic way possible.

Q: How much of the Cobra Kai universe have you mapped out?

Jon: When we started filming the show we knew the entire first season arcs in pretty clear detail. For season two, three and beyond, many of the ideas were concepts we had in our head but we didn’t know where they were going to end up.

We have had a clear sense of the endgame from the beginning, and have said many times that we don’t know how many seasons we are going to end up doing but we know how we’d like it to end. The story is fluid in certain ways. It has been fun each season finding ways to expand the universe, introducing new characters that we didn’t know we were

Picture: Bob Mahoney, Netflix

going to create early on. Tory, for example, is someone we didn’t know would become a big part.

Q: How significant has the Netflix effect been in taking the show to the next level?

Jon: When we conceived the show it was always intended in our minds that we would sell it to Netflix. For the first two years while it was on YouTube it was exciting to hear the reviews and the people who saw it loved it, but most people that we knew hadn’t seen it.

As soon as we made the move in 2020 the rise was instantaneous. The reaction has been mind-blowing for us especially as the series moved over to Netflix during such a difficult time in the world. To have people reaching out and telling us how it brought joy to them in a tough period was something that was very unexpected. That was the thing we have enjoyed the most because it is making people smile and has allowed them an opportunity to forget about the problems in the world for a number of hours.

Q: With filming of season four now under way do you feel as motivated as before?

Josh: We are even more enthusiastic because it is proof of concept. Nothing was more enjoyable than seeing the audience out there find the show and react to it the way that they have. We suspected that we weren’t these three crazy people who were the only ones on Earth who cared about these characters and the story, but what we found is that there are many others like us.

We know that the audience is waiting and is going to want us to deliver more on the premise that we have set out and expand the universe. Our audience is very savvy — they have seen what we have been doing now for

“IT IS MAKING PEOPLE SMILE AND ALLOWED THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO FORGET ABOUT THE PROBLEMS IN THE WORLD.” 30 episodes. It is a challenge to tell something new that catches them off guard and takes them to places that they don’t expect.

Season three was explosive, it was our biggest season so far. Knowing that people are going to be there on day one to binge this show once again, charges us to make that binge worthwhile. It is a really gratifying position to be in and one we are grateful for.

Q: Can we expect to one day see an Eagle Fang spin-off?

Hayden: Anything is possible. I think our hope is that by the time our series reaches its exciting, fulfilling and awesome conclusion that we have expanded this universe and have a fanbase that wants to see more. As hardcore fans of The Karate Kid you can rest assured that we are hardcore fans of the characters in Cobra Kai and we think a lot about things like spin-offs and sequels and movie versions of characters. There are no official plans for anything yet, we are focused on Cobra Kai season four, but we are dreamers and we like to fantasise about all the different things you can do with a successful show. We will see if it ends up happening but that is one of the fun things we like to talk about when we are hanging out in-between seasons.

Q: The Karate Kid inspired thousands to take up martial arts. Were any of you among them?

Hayden: No. I loved the idea of being able to use this skill to take on people that are bigger and stronger, but it required spending time after school not watching TV and playing video games and at the time I was a couch potato. I was watching The Karate Kid and fantasising about it when I probably should have been putting on a gi and going to a dojo.

The same is true with Jon and Josh. We are all sports fans and I think there is something about an underdog story that gets us riled up.

We didn’t have the direct threat that Daniel LaRusso was facing so we could afford to play video games.

We knew the impact it had on the sport and it does provide tremendous value even if you don’t end up in a fight. Before we started shooting Cobra Kai we thought we should join a dojo, put a gi on and get a feeling of the mat but it just didn’t happen because we had too much work to do.

Q: Are you aware Cobra Kai is having a similar effect and is helping to invigorate karate?

Hayden: We knew that The Karate Kid launched the sport in a major way all throughout the world and made it really accessible to children in a way that nobody had seen before. The idea that is happening again is really good. Even though we are not karate students ourselves, we truly believe that there is something that you can take from it that is not just learning a skill, not just learning how to fight. We think that there is a method to the madness of The Karate Kid and there is a magic that is worth pursuing. We just hope that the kids and new students that are coming to karate do not show “no mercy” on the world.

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INTERVIEW•GIANNI DECENZO

CAREER KICK-START Rising star Gianni DeCenzo describes the double dividend of playing Cobra Kai’s Demetri

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S a young actor and fledgling martial artist, Gianni DeCenzo landed a dream combination when he was cast as loveable nerd Demetri in Cobra Kai. In addition to shooting him to stardom as part of one of the world’s most-watched shows, the big break provided the 19-yearold with the chance to hone both his screencraft and combat skills alongside some of the best in the business.

“To work on a show of this magnitude is huge because chances like this don’t come around often,” Gianni told Shimbun, explaining how his previous television and film forays had been limited to one-off or bit-part performances. “I don’t think anybody on the show expected that it would grow as much as it has, but when we moved to Netflix the response was incredible. It is so cool to be a part of something like this because I can finally develop and grow with a character.

“When I got the part I thought Demetri was going to be in the show for a while but just in the background to the main protagonists,” the Californian actor added. “I honestly had no idea that he would have such a crazy arc, from the nerd in the cafeteria to now kicking ass as part of Miyagi-Do and making out with girls in hallways.”

And having enviously watched the majority of the opening season’s action scenes from the sidelines, Gianni is thrilled that Demetri has since spent more time in the dojo.

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Courtesy of Netflix © 2020

“I HONESTLY HAD NO IDEA THAT HE WOULD HAVE SUCH A CRAZY ARC, FROM THE NERD IN THE CAFETERIA TO NOW KICKING ASS AS PART OF MIYAGI-DO AND MAKING OUT WITH GIRLS IN HALLWAYS.” Picture: Mark Hill

“For a few years now I have done Krav Maga, a form of selfdefence and physical training which was developed by the Israeli Army in the 1940s and is based on the use of reflexive responses to threatening situations,” he added. “I describe it as trying to gouge someone’s eye out, kick them in the groin and then run. Having background knowledge of it helped me out with the physical side of filming because we have to train a lot of hours to get up to speed before shooting the show. My limbs don’t bend quite as well as people like Jacob Bertrand [Hawk] and Tanner Buchanan [Robbie], so it has taken some practise and I have had to do a lot of stretching, but I am getting there.”

Gianni’s martial arts progress is certainly in safe hands.

Ahead of each season he and his cast-mates are put through an intensive two-week masterclass led by Hollywood stunt coordinators — and husband and wife team — Hiro Koda and Jahnel Curfman. As sensei go, they are a formidable double act.

Hiro, who has worked on more than 150 films and television shows, is a fourth degree black belt and a Shihan in US Yukoshai Karate, and has multiple championship victories to his name. While former competitive gymnast and professional dancer, Jahnel has brought her weapons and fighting skills to bear on the sets of blockbusters such as Avatar and Avengers: Endgame.

“They are the best team,” Gianni said. “We train as a group and there are other people on the stunt crew that will help us out with any issues during the season.

Courtesy of Netflix © 2020

“I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A BAD GUY, PREFERABLY A SERIAL KILLER – SOMEONE WHO IS THE TOTAL OPPOSITE OF DEMETRI.”

“TO HAVE THE ICONIC JOHNNY LAWRENCE TEACHING ME KARATE WAS A PRETTY SURREAL EXPERIENCE.”

Courtesy of Netflix © 2020

There is a bungalow on set that we can go into and workout whenever we want. Everyone is very approachable and without their help I wouldn’t have made the improvements I have.”

However, the stunt team is not the only source of karate support available to Cobra Kai’s younger cast members. As experienced martial artists, William Zabka [Johnny Lawrence] and Ralph Macchio [Daniel LaRusso] have been only too happy to share their wisdom between scenes.

“It is amazing to have legends like them on set,” added Gianni, who began acting in commercials as an eight-year-old. “In the first season, when the group went to the Cobra Kai dojo to see what it is about, William showed us how to throw punches correctly. To have the iconic Johnny Lawrence teaching me karate was a pretty surreal experience. Then when Demetri joined Miyagi-Do, Ralph was so helpful guiding me through how to do kata in between takes.

I haven’t got to do many of the patterns, but I am hoping in later seasons I will get the chance to expand my knowledge.”

Exposure to Cobra Kai’s veteran stars has also paid dividends from a professional perspective.

Recalling an encounter with another fan favourite from The Karate Kid movies, the former 100 Things to do Before High School actor said: “Martin Kove is pretty intimidating. My first scene with him was when John Kreese ends up breaking Demetri’s nose.

“When we were doing my takes, the camera wasn’t on him but he was standing there staring me down like a true professional and

he never broke eye contact. He has just got daggers. I learned a lot from how he and the other adults handled themselves on set.

They are great role models.”

Time spent sparring with one of cinema’s most iconic villains has certainly left a lasting impression on Gianni. While he has a track record for playing for laughs, being up close and personal with a bad guy has cemented his aspirations of taking on more sinister roles.

“Just having something like Cobra Kai under my belt is awesome for my resume,” he continued. “I want to be able to take this and work on further projects in the future. I have always wanted to be a bad guy, preferably a serial killer — someone who is the total opposite of Demetri. When I was super young, I did this film called Whispers and was a schizophrenic child who pushed his dad — who was in a wheelchair — down a flight of stairs. By playing darker characters like Sensei Kreese I will only become a better actor.”

It is an education in acting Gianni is only too happy to continue with Cobra Kai. “I cannot wait to get filming again,” Gianni concluded, revealing that it was his dad’s love of The Karate Kid which led him to audition for the show. “Getting paid to do karate is a dream job, but working on this show has been so much more for me. It has helped me figure out how to focus for long periods and made me more mature. I have learned so much about the industry through playing Demetri and that can only be a good thing moving forward.”

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SENSEI SAYS

5th Kyu TARYN LOVEDAY

Walking into every class with a smile, Taryn is a delight to instruct and I am proud to have been her sensei from her first visit to a dojo.

As she matures, she is showing some great leadership skills.

Shodan ZANDER VOROBIEFF

A strong, confident leader, Zander has an amazing understanding of martial arts and his skills continue to develop at a rapid pace.

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Sensei Daniel Fernance, a Nidan with nearly two decades of training to his name, opens the doors to his Region 2 dojo to shine the spotlight on some of his Sydney students...

7th Kyu AMITA SHRESTHA

Amita never fails to make me laugh. She comes to class with a great energy and loves showing off her stances during kata.

Want a visit from the Shimbun team? Send a note to shimbun@ gkrkarate.com and let’s get a date in the diary!

4th Kyu XAYDEN MARCELO

Shodan KELLIANNE WILLIAMS

3rd Kyu ISABELLA FERNANCE

3rd Kyu NICHOLAS MIFSUD

Not one to be underestimated, Xayden has enormous potential and has made excellent progress over the last two-and-a-half years. It won’t be long before he swaps red for brown.

Kellianne has trained with me since she was a 4th Kyu and I’ve seen her grow into a strong and mature karateka. She has risen to the challenge of acting as a sempai and will one day make a great sensei.

With a number of regional and state titles already to her name, Isabella is a star in the making and — aged 10 — is Region 2’s youngest sempai. The karateka has also been training as part of the NSW squad.

Thanks to his excellent understanding of techniques and thirst for knowledge, Nick is a force to be reckoned with. As he matures in age and ability, his karate could become unstoppable.

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5th Kyu JAYDEN WHITMORE

8th Kyu XYRUS MARCELO

5th Kyu BRENDAN GALEA

7th Kyu DEV VALANI

I can honestly say that Jayden has never put in less than 100 per cent since his first day in the dojo.

His etiquette on the mats is an inspiration to others and he takes on board any feedback he is given.

One of the younger Sydney students, Xyrus enjoys training alongside his mum, dad and big brother. Already a lover of kumite, he will continue to improve as he grows stronger.

After a long break on the sidelines, Brendan recently returned to GKR to further his skills. Resuming as a white belt, it didn’t take him long to clear the cobwebs and his dedication is paying dividends.

A quiet but diligent student, Dev is a pleasure to have in class. Keen to invest time and energy in his karate development, he has been attending three classes a week and always maintains high standards.

4th Kyu RHYAN PASION

6th Kyu DJ NACMAN

6th Kyu LUCY BOARDMAN

6th Kyu DIANNE PALMER

A lover of tournament karate, Rhyan shows great respect for every member of the class. If he continues to develop at the rate he is, the sky’s the limit as to what he can achieve in the dojo.

An exuberant karateka, DJ always comes to class beaming. A lover of the patterns of kata and the games we play in each session, he is looking to claim his blue belt in the near future.

Lucy’s enthusiasm and willingness to learn are a pleasure to have in class. She loves to set personal goals and, at the end of each class, gives out the best high fives to her training companions.

Dianne is an absolute delight to have in class and to instruct.

Every week she brings a can-do attitude to the dojo and, without fail, is always one of the hardest workers in the room.

7th Kyu BELLA MAMMOLITI

6th Kyu SEBASTIAN MIFSUD

5th Kyu PRATHMA PATEL

2nd Kyu JACOB REYES

Boasting an amazing ability to focus for someone so young, Bella is well on her way to achieving her 7th Kyu. She always trains with a positive attitude, is a keen learner and is rapidly improving.

A committed student, Sebastian trains twice a week and — having knuckled down and put a massive amount of effort into improving his karate — recently graded to green belt.

A natural leader, Prathma prides herself on maintaining the values of the dojo at all times and puts a smile on everyone’s face. Her karate skills — particularly her stances — are equally exemplary.

Jacob trains hard and sets a great example to younger students with the respect he shows to his peers.

I am excited at the prospect of watching him grow as a karateka over the next few years.

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INTERVIEW•TONY BLAKE

REFOCUSSED Vietnam War veteran finds peace from PTSD in pursuit of GKR gradings

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ILITARY veteran Tony Blake is more familiar than most with the notion of the fog of war — the situational uncertainty associated with armed conflict.

A former member of the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, he served in the Vietnam War and experienced firsthand the alarm and confusion of closequarter combat.

And while he personally escaped the bloody campaign in South East Asia physically unscathed, the fog failed to lift on his return home in March 1971 and he was left nursing deep emotional scars.

“I found so many difficulties in everyday life when I came back from Vietnam,” the 72-year-old said. “I never wanted to have many people near me and I really struggled with loud noises. At home, I couldn’t even handle my two boys running around playing cowboys and Indians.”

Revealing the root of his mental unrest, Tony described to Shimbun how he was haunted by memories of an incident that unfolded close to the end of his 12-month

operational tour. While returning to camp after ambushing a Viet Cong position, a member of his platoon — the soldier walking directly in front of him — stood on a landmine.

“I was so lucky not to be injured apart from a couple of small hits by shrapnel,” Tony, who was 21 at the time, explained. “I was carrying the medical kit when the blast went off so, while everyone else probed for more mines, I used my rifle’s bayonet to prod the earth in front of me and reach John [the wounded infantryman] as quickly and safely as I could.

“I splinted his legs with an unloaded rifle and secured it with bandages. Fortunately we all survived but I have suffered from flashbacks of that moment ever since.”

Despite his harrowing experience overseas, Tony transferred to the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps and served a further six years before the psychological effects of his time in the jungle forced him to hang up his uniform.

With a family to support he took a job as a brick burner in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, working late afternoon

and night shifts. The unsocial hours suited his search for solitude from others but a little too well and, missing the camaraderie of the Services, Tony found himself feeling increasingly isolated.

With very few friends to confide in, his mental health continued to deteriorate but it was not until 1997 — more than twoand-a-half decades after feeling the heat of battle — that he finally reached out for professional help.

A diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) duly followed and Tony, who was born in the UK and emigrated with his family to Australia in 1965, spent a month in a mental health hospital learning to manage the triggers that had tormented him for so long.

World events, however, conspired against his treatment and when the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began making daily headlines, his anxiety returned with a vengeance.

Spotting Tony’s need for an enduring distraction, the Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs advised the retired sergeant to pursue a sporting endeavour — guidance that would rekindle an old passion

“AT HOME, I COULDN’T EVEN HANDLE MY TWO BOYS RUNNING AROUND PLAYING COWBOYS AND INDIANS.”

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and set him on a more positive path.

“While I was deciding on what sort of training I was going to do, I went with one of my friends to pick up his son from a dojo,” added Tony, who briefly flirted with the martial arts during his time in the Army.

“We waited for the class to finish in the hall and I noticed the strikes, blocks and kicks were strangely familiar to what I had done for a short time as a member of GoShyn-Ru 40 years earlier.”

By the end of the session, Tony had decided to stage a karate comeback at the age of 61 and — under the tutelage of Sensei David Sandor in Wollongong — quickly found the sport reconnected him with the positive aspects of serving his country.

“The strong values I learnt in the dojo were much like those I had been taught in the Army,” he said. “The nature of karate requires a person to focus, study and submit to coaching thereby developing their own self-discipline and that is the same in the Forces. I associate the patterns of kata with the process of following set moves in a military drill.

“AS SOON AS I BOW IN, I LIVE IN ANOTHER HEADSPACE.” “There are a number of physical similarities as well, such as wearing a gi and a uniform.

“Most importantly for me, while karate is an individual sport, the atmosphere created at GKR classes is about working together and that was the part of being in the Army I loved most.”

Crucially, the club’s grading system also gave Tony long-term goals to fix his attention on.

“While you are assisted and helped by your sensei, it’s your own personal hard work that helps you get better,” he continued. “Having something to throw all my efforts towards gave me the distraction I needed.

“When I am in a dojo it gives me a break from the franticness of everyday life. As soon as I bow in, I live in another headspace and it allows me to forget about the triggers that bring on the PTSD by controlling my

breathing and focusing on mastering the skills at hand. Training never fails to leave me sore, sweaty and spent but I am always exhilarated by it.”

Such is the kick of exhilaration Tony gets from his karate that the PTSD sufferer has no intent of being distracted from his distraction.

Crediting his chosen club with clearing a way through the fog, the seasoned karateka — who graded to Sandan in 2019 — concluded: “This will be my eleventh year with the club and I still look forward to heading to the dojo with as much keenness as I did when I started.

“Unfortunately my illness cannot be cured and it takes a lot of effort on a daily basis to have it under control.

“There were times when I was so low with anxiety that things could have ended badly but ever since I started with GKR I have had something to keep me going.”

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INTERVIEW•DANIEL PALMER

A FORCE FOR GOOD Shimbun meets the black belt bolstering Britain’s thin blue line

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HERE is a stark difference between having a knowledge of self-defence and defending society from criminal activity, but Daniel Palmer credits the former with giving him the confidence to pursue his dream career doing the latter.

Although the newly-badged Special Constable cuts an assured, authoritative figure in the police uniform he has aspired to wear from an early age, he concedes to once being far from comfortable standing tall among others.

His passion for karate, which began on the Mediterranean Coast before migrating to Essex, England, has had a transformative effect on both his posture and outlook.

“Before I started martial arts I was a shy little boy who never wanted to go out and if I did, I would always be looking down and never up,” Daniel told Shimbun, explaining how his family moved to the south of Spain in search of a life in the sun when he was aged just 18 months.

“I struggled to talk to people and I would be very quiet and have to repeat myself about a thousand times. When I set foot in a dojo

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“I WAS TAUGHT TO LOOK WHERE I WAS GOING AND BY DOING THAT IT PUSHED ME TO LOOK UP IN THE REAL WORLD.”

in Spain that all changed and I quickly felt at home and a lot happier.

“However, when we moved back to England after six years away I didn’t settle well and my confidence was low,” the 18-year-old added, recalling how he took a two-year break from donning a gi before finding a GKR Karate class to attend in Clacton.

“As soon as I started with the club I noticed an instant difference in my personality.

“In class I was taught to look where I was going and by doing that it pushed me to look up in the real world and see the journey ahead of me.

“Since the age of five I have wanted to join the police, but until I learnt self-defence and began going to tournaments I didn’t think it would ever happen.”

Buoyed by his rise through GKR’s ranks and growing collection of competition medals, the Shodan fulfilled his childhood ambition last year, signing up to join the ranks of the Essex Police. And, now well into his professional training programme, Daniel believes his fledgling career in the Force continues to benefit from his experiences as a martial artist.

“In class I have always been pushed to go out of my comfort zone and that has been huge for me since I joined the police,” added the Region 16 karateka.

“Through karate I have learnt how to protect myself using kicks and punches and although I hope I never have to use these skills outside of the dojo, they have been huge for my confidence.

“When you are out in uniform it is great to know you can deal with risky situations and be able to defend not only yourself but members of the public too.”

As well as enabling the law enforcer to patrol with purpose, Daniel has found the dojo to be an ideal place to unwind when not on duty.

“Working in the police has its good days

and bad days so it is great to have the option of a karate class to help unwind on the bad days,” added the black belt, who won a silver medal for kata at the 2019 UK National Championships and has appeared at two World Cups.

“When I go to the dojo it gives me an escape from the everyday challenges and dangers of being at work. We bow in, shut our eyes for 30 seconds, relax and let the stresses of whatever is going on outside of the dojo leave our body. As soon as training starts I feel like I am in a completely different universe.”

It is a universe, however, far from alien to Daniel, who was quick to cite the influence of some of its guiding stars on his professional progression.

While also saluting the support of Sensei Emma French and Wayne Smy, the young crime fighter paid tribute to Michael Catlin, the instructor who has overseen his graduation from green belt to black.

“Sensei Michael has been absolutely phenomenal,” Daniel said. “He is more than a karate teacher, he is a great friend.

“In my first few years with the club, instructors kept coming and going and I couldn’t find my way, but since he took over I haven’t looked back. He has stood by me and pushed me to be the person I am now.”

Daniel may have once doubted his suitability to serve society but his sensei certainly did not and it doesn’t take a detective to conclude that the path to becoming a positive role model is all the easier when you are accompanied by one.

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INTERVIEW• JOE KELLAWAY

SOCIAL

ISOLATION

Having dodged discos and parried parties, will this year’s Olympics finally be time for Joe Kellaway to put the champagne on ice?

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ECOMING a world-class athlete takes no shortage of sacrifice, with the biggest casualty customarily free time. Demanding training programmes and frenetic competition schedules consume countless hours and, for those seeking to succeed at sport’s elite levels, social lives generally get put on prolonged hold.

That was certainly the case for Olympian-in-waiting Joe Kellaway during his teenage years, when mixing with mates took a back seat to chasing his dream of becoming a karate champion.

“I didn’t really have a normal childhood,” Joe told Shimbun, explaining how a passion for TV’s Power Rangers first led him to the dojo as a six-year-old. “Of course I went and played football with my friends as most young boys do, but outside of that I was always missing out on stuff like house parties.

“When I first started karate as a child it was something that kept me busy in the evenings and on weekends, but as I improved, I enjoyed it more and when my family was told I had a talent, I decided to try to take it to the max.

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“I knew I wanted to fight,” the Team GB star added. “When most people are 13, they are thinking about which GCSE subjects to take, but all I wanted was to be a European and world champion.”

The South London-born karateka’s decision to focus on his chosen martial art quickly paid dividends. An England call-up and a trip to Malaysia for the World Junior Karate Championships in 2013 sealed his sporting fate, steering him away from academic endeavours towards a career competing.

Having built a reputation on the tournament circuit, Joe was offered the chance to further refine his skills under the tutelage of former world champion-turned-coach Paul Newby at a gym in Selby, Yorkshire.

It was a golden opportunity he seized — despite the many miles it put between him and loved ones.

“Packing up your things and going to a place away from everything you are used to is a huge sacrifice,” said the 24-yearold, reflecting on his sporting education.

“Fortunately, I was eased into it and I originally spent alternate weeks in Yorkshire with Paul and in London with my family.

“That got me used to staying away from home, which made the permanent move easier when I turned 18. There are still moments when it is tough but that is part of dedication and the will to win. Just because my parents aren’t around the corner doesn’t mean they are less supportive.”

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“IF I DO GET ON THE PODIUM THIS YEAR, ALL THE HOURS SPENT IN GYMS TRAINING WILL HAVE BEEN WORTH IT.”

Joe’s decision to fly the family nest to train full-time was vindicated when the news broke that karate would be making its Olympic debut in Tokyo.

The Covid-delayed spectacle represents a chance to compete on the grandest stage in amateur sport and is one “party” the European bronze medallist has no intent of missing out on.

“When the Olympics was announced it gave me a clearer vision and goal,” Joe, who now trains at the National Taekwondo Centre

in Manchester, continued. “To be a part of something so special would be incredible.

You couldn’t pick a better place to show off the sport than its birthplace, Japan. It is very exciting and all karateka around the world have got their fingers crossed that this is going to pave the way for permanent inclusion in the future.”

Although disappointed at having to wait a further year to make his Olympic bow, the British black belt is focusing on the positives the pandemic has brought to his preparations.

“I was on the right track to Tokyo 2020,” the two-time 10K Karate Clash champion added. “I was fighting very well before the lockdowns.

“I had a quarter-final finish in Dubai K1, which is as hard as a world championship as it attracts the best fighters on the planet, and in my final Premier League appearance before the pandemic I came fifth; everything was looking up.

“I have tried to look at the benefits of the postponement, which has given me another year to develop as an athlete and to learn more skills.

“A lot of the top fighters are older than I am and are hanging on for dear life to get to the Olympics. However, I am getting faster and more experienced, which means I might be able to overtake them.”

Another advantage of the delay to the The Kellaway clan: Coach Paul Newby (below) and sparring partner – and Team GB ally – Jordan Thomas (page opposite).

action in Japan has been more time sparring with his long-term martial art’s mentor — and Issue 4’s cover star — Jordan Thomas.

“I have seen him develop into a world champion,” Joe said. “Being around Jordan and Paul has motivated me even more and hearing stories of their triumphs makes me want to get to that level.

“I owe my European bronze medal to Jordan as he proved that British karate could still be successful.

“He won his world title when we didn’t have this facility in Manchester or any funding and that just shows that if you make the sacrifices and put your mind to something, it can be done.

“If I do get on the podium this year, words won’t be able to describe how I will feel.

Everything I have missed out on growing up — and all the hours spent in gyms training — will have been worth it.”

While receiving a medal on the mats of the Nippon Budokan Centre in Tokyo would be a remarkable personal highlight, the potential impact on others of returning west as an Olympic champion is not lost on the promising fighter.

Just as Jordan has served as a role model for him, Joe is hopeful he can one day carry the flag and inspire Great Britain’s next generation of karate kids.

“100 percent, I want to be that inspiration,” the Crystal Palace fan added.

“I am already running coaching seminars and I love seeing children enjoying themselves and progressing.

“Jordan and I are always speaking of creating a proper team here in Manchester.

We want to work as assistants to Paul in the future, learn from him and then become head coaches and pass on his knowledge.

That would be a dream come true for us.”

And for those who have already begun their tournament karate journeys, Joe offered the following words of advice: “Don’t give up at the first failure. It took me at least five years to win my first senior international medal.

“There will be a lot of setbacks along the road, with tears and de-motivation. There have been times that I didn’t want to train but my support network kept me going.

“I had my coaches and family who kept telling me that one day it was going to click and it did.

“If you dream big and are prepared to fully commit to whatever you want to achieve, I really believe you can make it happen.”

And Joe is clear that the rewards for committing wholeheartedly to karate are worth the sacrifices.

“Even though it is hard work, the journey is fantastic,” he concluded. ‘’I’ve invested my heart and soul into being a sportsman and I love it.”

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INTERVIEW•VITALIY KHUTORYANSKIY

CHEMICAL REACTIon PRACTISING karate proves professor’s missing spark

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RIDE of place on the desk at the Berkshire home of Professor Vitaliy Khutoryanskiy is reserved for the GKR Karate membership card he received during his first class five years ago.

That the memento, dated 26 February 2016, is afforded such a prominent spot speaks volumes for the lasting impression the club has left on the University of Reading lecturer.

Having grown up under the chilled skies of the former Soviet Union and been exposed to the extreme heat of a Pakistani summer, the formulation scientist is certainly not short of other defining experiences or milestones to rank and reflect upon. Indeed, the card has fought off considerable competition given the brown belt’s pharmaceutical expertise has seen

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him lecture in more than 50 countries and earn a wealth of academic acclaim and accolades.

Nor can its celebrated standing be attributed to a troubled childhood devoid of cherished memories. Far from it. Raised in Kazakhstan during the fall of the Soviet Union, Vitaliy insists that he remembers his formative years fondly despite the shortages in supermarkets and long queues associated with living in a communist state.

“Life was not as black as it was painted in the Western world and I had a pretty happy childhood,” explained the Region 37 karateka.

“There was free education, free medicine and I had plenty of opportunities to do sport.

“I was very keen on athletics and it was also free, so I spent a lot of my time as a ten-yearold running and jumping.”

It was, however, in the classroom rather than on the track that Vitaliy proved his credentials as a champion. Recalling how science stole his heart at the age of 14, the 1st Kyu told Shimbun: “Chemistry was my real passion growing up. In my first lesson at school I received a textbook and that night I went home and started reading — by the end of the week I had finished it.

“I did a lot of extra reading and one of the books I enjoyed the most featured the biographies of some of the most famous chemists in history. I still own it today and go back to it whenever I need a bit of inspiration.”

Following the completion of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Al Farabi Khazak National University, Vitaliy transferred to Satybayev Technical University and began studying for a PhD in Polymer Chemistry — a

relatively small move but one which proved the catalyst for a succession of overseas forays and ultimately led him to the UK. Having found the intense heat of Pakistan too hot to handle during one three-week research trip, the celebrated chemist was awakened to the lure of Europe by a stint in Italy.

“It was the first Western country I had been to and it was an eye-opener,” Vitaliy said. “I realised there were lots of research opportunities, better equipment available for scientists and more connections to be made. I knew if I wanted to take my career to the next

level I would have to leave Kazakhstan.”

In 2002 – having been offered a position as a Postdoctoral Pharmaceutical Research Associate at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow – he did just that and arrived in Scotland’s second city with his then pregnant wife Olga.

“When we landed it was mid-October and raining heavily,” Vitaliy said, conceding that relocating halfway around the world came with its share of culture shocks. “My wife and I were wearing thick Russian-style clothes and everyone else at the airport was wearing shorts and T-shirts. It was crazy.

“In the beginning, it was very difficult to settle as I was trying to balance learning a new way of life with making a good impression at work. One thing I remember specifically from that time is buying my wife a second-hand TV Academic roots: Vitaliy’s path to a professorship began at the Al Farabi Khazak National University

set as a present. We had been watching it for weeks before a colleague at work explained that you had to pay to do so. I was shocked – having grown up in a communist country I had no idea there was such a thing as a TV licence.

“That is the closest I have come in my life to breaking the law.”

In 2005, with his clean sheet unblemished, the Khutoryanskiy family migrated south — via a research position in Manchester — to a lecturing role at University of Reading “In the academic world going from researcher to lecturer is a very big jump,” he added.

“It gave me the opportunity to work more independently and that was something that I had always wanted to focus on. I loved interacting with students when I was in Kazakhstan, so it instantly felt like a perfect fit.”

While Vitaliy’s career continued to go from strength-to-strength with a promotion to Professor at Reading’s School of Pharmacy and an honorary professorship from Russia’s Kazan State Medical University, the same could not be said for his fitness levels. With

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more time dedicated to exercising his grey matter than flexing his muscles, the academic acknowledges that he was in need of the proverbial kick delivered by a chance brush with GKR during a visit to a supermarket.

“I remember fixing my garden fence one weekend and finding it a huge struggle,” he said. “Bending my body was difficult — I had done no sport for 14 years and gained weight.

“I knew something needed to change and one day my son and I went shopping and there was a GKR Karate stall at the front of the store.

“I was intrigued but at the same time concerned that if I were to get injured doing karate then I wouldn’t be able to work and travel. The sensei we were talking to convinced me it would be okay, so I signed up with my son and began training.

“It was really hard at first because I had not done any sport for so long and my fitness was bad, but I found it fascinating,” continued Vitaliy, who briefly trained in the Chinese martial art of Bushu as a teen.

“I wanted to learn all of the kata and what I found surprising — having initially been afraid of contact — was that I enjoyed kumite the most. I loved the adrenaline rush it gave me and the balance between that and the precision of the kata was perfect.”

Feeling at home in a gi, Vitaliy soon found himself attending training multiple times a week — a regime which also included senior sessions run by Sensei Stuart Wiseman.

“Before you go to senior classes you think that all sensei are perfect, but then you realise that this is a never-ending journey and to get to the top takes so much work,”

“I DON’T KNOW IF I WILL GET TO FIRST DAN BUT WITHOUT A BLACK BELT I FEEL INCOMPLETE.” he added. “I am a highly-motivated, stubborn person and I like achievements. I don’t know if I will get to first dan but without a black belt I feel incomplete.”

The biggest obstacle to the brown belt’s progress is currently his health.

High blood pressure and a recurring knee injury have hampered his training in recent months but a birthday present from his son, Nikolai, is helping to ensure his focus remains set on grading to Shodan-Ho. “The black belt is keeping me motivated,” Vitaliy explained. “My son gave me a rack to display all of my belts and it needs to be completed. When I am working it keeps me focused and reminds me to go to training so I can push towards the next kyu.

“Once the pandemic is over I’m determined to get there.”

Whatever the future holds for the Kazakhstan-born karateka, he is hugely grateful for the impact the dojo has had on his life and career so far.

“There are so many benefits from doing karate and I have made lots of friends from it,” he concluded.

“Before I started training most of my friends were related to science but now I have a completely different cohort and I love the community feel of GKR Karate. It is a great bunch of people.

“It has also taught me discipline — the values of martial arts drive me to go to class even when I am in pain or having a bad day.

“It has given me more confidence in my everyday life, and when I go travelling with work people are always interested in hearing about my karate. It is the best feeling.”

There may be a sense of inevitability about a formulation scientist discovering the formula for a rewarding work-life balance but doing so is difficult even if you are an eminent professor.

Having come to represent his “eureka” moment, it is little wonder Vitaliy values his GKR membership card so highly.

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INTERVIEW•HELEN NAUGHTIN

BOUNCING BACK

How training helped karateka combat formidable foe

C

Striking out of the blue in early 2018, it toppled the former nurse from the high of revelling in her new role as GKR Karate’s Gold Coast membership coordinator and being on the cusp of claiming her long dreamed of black belt.

Just eight weeks shy of her planned grading, the karateka was diagnosed with stage three metastatic breast cancer — which doctors revealed had spread to her lymph nodes — and, after a burst of chemotherapy, found herself on the operating table.

But despite spending 12 hours in surgery and facing an intense course of treatment, Helen was determined not to remain floored and put karate at the forefront of her fightback.

“Without a purpose people perish,” the 39-year-old told Shimbun, explaining her decision to return to the dojo as quickly as possible after leaving hospital.

“I knew I wanted to keep training and working to stay mentally and physically strong.

When you are going through personal issues the best thing you can do is focus on helping other people and I was able to do that by going to class.”

While she was resolute about remaining in her gi throughout her illness, Helen credits Queensland’s senior instructor Sensei Mark Case and 5th Dan Slava Komzik for proving a steadfast source of encouragement.

“It was the support of my

Credit: Leon Champion, Gold Coast Wedding Photography

ANCER has a nasty habit of sweeping the legs out from under people and the cruel disease certainly caught Helen Naughtin off-guard.

“I WANTED TO MAKE A COMEBACK IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE AND THAT STARTED WITH THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF GETTING MY BLACK BELT.” instructor team on the Gold Coast that allowed me to continue my training,” she added. “If I was ever having a bad day and didn’t feel myself they would always be there to talk to me. When I was first diagnosed I was so scared as I had no idea what to expect, so

Sensei Mark organised for me to chat with Shihan Anthony Ryan at a black belt camp and that changed my whole attitude. He told me that everything in life comes down to your mindset; it tells your body what to do, not the other way round.”

Helen’s new-found positive outlook was rewarded with a positive prognosis in February 2019 when, on completion of radiation therapy, she was given the all-clear from cancer.

And with the disease defeated, the then-1st Kyu immediately set her mind to settling some other scores.

Recalling the delight she felt at being given a clean bill of health, Helen, whose martial arts training stretches back to 2013, said: “It was the best day of my life and it allowed me to up my training and concentrate on grading.

“It was all about bouncing back and bouncing high.

“I wanted to make a comeback in every way possible and that started with the unfinished business of getting my black belt.”

She achieved her primary objective within five months and the Shodan-Ho, who has since been appointed assistant manager of Region 25, is now focused on returning to tournament karate and testing her mettle in a more familiar type of fight.

Having already beaten cancer, Helen certainly has no fears about competing again and will undoubtedly prove a resolute opponent in the ring.

“The experience has helped me to see the world in a whole new light,” Helen concluded.

“I am a lot more relaxed and laid back than I was, and don’t worry about the little things as much.

“The best advice I have to others facing such a fight is to focus on what you want and ignore what you don’t. One of my favourite sayings is ‘whatever you focus on flies, whatever you don’t withers and dies’.”

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ALL-ROUND ARTIST

Meet the young dojo star set on muscling his way into movies

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INTERVIEW•JACOB HOPKINS

B

RUCE LEE. Jackie Chan. Chuck Norris. The path from the dojo to the silver screen is welltrodden, with a host of martial artists having successfully kicked down Hollywood’s doors and established themselves as mainstream movie stars.

Among the latest generation of black belts to harbour hopes of becoming a box office hit is Jacob Hopkins, whose acting credits already feature the familiar names of US sitcom The Goldbergs and surreal comedy Amazing World of Gumball.

However, taekwondo precedes television fame on the 19-year-old’s resume and he attributes time in the dojo with instilling him with the confidence and composure to feel at ease on set.

“On camera your movement and physicality are very important and martial arts give you a strong base with those,” explained Jacob, who was given his first significant break at the tender age of nine when he was cast as a vampire in the fantasy horror series True Blood.

“It quickly becomes apparent on set who has trained in any form; they are confident in their stride and always willing to experiment and try new ways to play a character.”

The 2nd Dan, who has starred in The Goldbergs since the age of 11, also believes his training helped him to transition from being in front of the camera to behind the microphone.

Reflecting on the three seasons he spent performing as Gumball’s titular protagonist, he added: “Using your voice is an art form and in many ways more challenging than on-screen acting. When you are on camera you can embody the character with your movements and facial expressions. A lot of actors count on those things to get their emotions across.

“I had never done any voice-overs but the self-discipline and selfcontrol taught to me by martial arts made it so much easier to perfect.”

That the martial arts have helped Jacob to feel comfortable playing different roles is befitting given it was a desire to emulate on-screen superheroes that first drove him to the dojo.

“Like most kids, growing up I was obsessed with the Teen Titans and Batman,” Jacob told Shimbun, explaining how he caught the acting bug from his father Gerald Hopkins, an actor and writer known for his work on Afterlife, Homecoming and General Hospital.

“I thought they were outrageous and I wanted to be like them.

“I heard about this thing called taekwondo, which involved kicking but was mostly about moving fast, and decided to sign up.

“I have been going ever since and the reason I enjoy it is no longer just because I wanted to be a ninja!

“Once I started moving through the ranks, I realised the benefits it was bringing to my everyday life.”

“IT QUICKLY BECOMES APPARENT ON SET WHO HAS TRAINED IN ANY FORM; THEY ARE CONFIDENT IN THEIR STRIDE AND ALWAYS WILLING TO EXPERIMENT AND TRY NEW WAYS TO PLAY A CHARACTER.”

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Aside from delivering an assuredness to his acting, those benefits include supplying a space to find spiritual solace in troubled times.

Jacob’s departure from the cast of Gumball, as a consequence of his voice changing during puberty, proved one such occasion. Facing professional adversity for the first time, the Los Angeles native turned to taekwondo.

“Whenever there is too much stress in life and everything is too much for me to handle, going to the dojo is a way to escape, move my body and work things out,” he said.

“When I received the news that I had lost Gumball I was low. Luckily, I could go to class and be in my happy place. Once the session was over, I had a much clearer head and was able to refocus my mind.

“I came to the conclusion that I was being silly because I had learnt everything I needed to know about voice acting doing that job [Gumball]. That was a big eureka moment for me. I realised that nothing can last forever, but that didn’t mean it was the end of my journey.”

And so it proved true 18 months later when Jacob was asked to lend his voice to antagonist Axel Finke in DreamWorks Animation’s Dragons: Rescue Riders.

The animated Netflix series marks the latest chapter of his career in an industry that — like so many others — hit a hiatus as the world grappled to get to grips with coronavirus.

When the Golden State went into lockdown, Jacob followed the lead of so many GKR Karate students and continued to train in the digital dimension.

“Once the pandemic arrived, my dojo had to close but immediately started to offer Zoom classes,” he added. “In many ways it felt like normal. I was still going to the same sessions with the same masters.

“It was an excellent scheme and I feel so bad for anyone who didn’t have the chance to train online.”

Away from the dojo, Jacob has grand plans for 2021 and will begin studying mechanical engineering at the University of Arizona, having deferred his arrival there in the wake of the pandemic.

“It was a big hit for me not being able to go to college last year,” Jacob said. “Luckily, I was allowed to take a gap year and keep my scholarship in Phoenix.

“I have lived in California my whole life, but I felt it would help me grow as a person to step out of what I was familiar with.

“I wanted to go to college because if I ever

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Pictures: Tim Schaeffer Photography [inset – Clothing: H&M]

“WHENEVER THERE IS TOO MUCH STRESS IN LIFE, GOING TO THE DOJO IS A WAY TO ESCAPE, MOVE MY BODY AND WORK THINGS OUT.”

find myself in a situation where I don’t want to pursue acting anymore it is good to have a backup plan — as the last year has shown.”

Despite a shift in focus to academic attainment, acting remains core to Jacob’s long-term plans, as does fulfilling his childhood ambition.

“It has been my dream for a long time to play a superhero, it is why I started taekwondo all those years ago and it would just be an incredible experience for me,” he concluded. “I love the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC films and due to the recent craze, they are the number one movies out there right now.

“To act in them takes a lot of physical training which is a huge plus for me because I already have a lot of that covered.”

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Summon the power of the sun

Connor Neill

WKC World Champion Kickboxer West Freestyle Martial Arts

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FEATURE

HEAD STRONG Young champ hails martial arts for giving him the mental strength to kick on

W

HILE the physical benefits of time spent training are widely accepted, a former British kickboxing champion believes martial arts of all styles can have an equally powerful impact on the psychological wellbeing of participants.

Chris West, a world silver medallist-turnedgym owner, cited the community spirit nurtured by clubs like GKR Karate as being crucial to students attaining happiness and good mental health.

“From a social point of view, martial arts are so important,” he told Shimbun. “Some people can be quite isolated and spend a lot of time indoors, so the chance to get out, meet others and make friends is vital. If people are having a bad day and have had no interaction, the best thing that they can do is go to their local gym or dojo — somewhere they can mix, get fit and let out some of their frustrations.

It is a complete body and mind workout, and it allows people to reinvent themselves completely if they wish.’’

Chris, who runs a freestyle martial arts club in Manchester, insists that creating an inclusive environment is paramount — particularly given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on society.

“When people come to train, it should not be about who is the toughest guy in the street,” Winning combination: Connor Neill and coach Chris West. Follow “Clubber” on Insta – @connor.04

he added. “Good martial arts clubs have a social, family feel and should be places where everyone looks out for each other.”

Mental health can also be helped by tournaments, according to Chris, as the experience of competing serves as a boost to self-belief. The progress of Connor “Clubber” Neill is testament to this outlook. Within the space of two years, the 17-year-old has gone from being a timid teenager to a world cadet kickboxing champion.

“I was never a confident kid

growing up, but martial arts has completely changed that,” the emerging star said.

“Whether I am fighting in front of a big crowd or speaking to new people in classes, it has helped me to grow.”

For Connor, like many GKR students, martial arts’ family factor is both figurative and literal, as he is following in his father’s footsteps.

“My dad had been training for a few years so I thought I would give it a go,” he added.

“As soon as I started sparring, I fell in love with it. It means a lot being able to train alongside my dad and knowing that we have a common passion motivates us both.”

And while an English title and international belt suggest Connor is not short on talent when it comes to tournaments, the fighter insists the values associated with martial arts remain at the forefront of his mind when he steps into the ring.

“You have to have an immense amount of respect for your opponent,” he concluded.

“They are doing the same thing as you, going through all the training day, in day out.

“When you get in the ring you do what you have got to do, but as soon as the final bell sounds it is all about respect and showing regard for your opponent.”

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Photos: Sauber Motorsport 56

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GOING THE DISTANCE Not ready for your final lap? Kimi Raikkonen’s performance coach shares some tips for karateka keen to go the extra mile

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ONGEVITY — the prize for blocking the debilitating blows of Father Time — is a sporting ambition shared by many but achieved by only a select few.

Seasoned winners such as Bernard Hopkins, Tom Brady and Martina Navratilova are certainly the exception rather than the rule, despite the array of “anti-ageing” gadgets and miracle blends purporting to preserve peak performance.

So what can karateka do to prolong their tournament sharpness and defer their departure from the dojo? In search of answers to eternal Empi, Shimbun sought the advice of Mark Arnall — a man with a track record for kicking retirement further down the road.

As the performance coach and therapist for Formula One’s oldest competitor, he is certainly in pole position when it comes to applying the brakes on physical decline.

In a sport where the average career spans just four seasons, the man Mark mentors — Kimi Raikkonen — is defying the odds and still living life in the fast lane at the age of 41. Remarkably, this season will be the Alfa Romeo driver’s 19th on the grid, so what are the secrets of the driver’s sustained success?

“Age is just a number,” Mark told Shimbun.

“If you look at older athletes who have been successful within their sports — Roger Federer, Valentino Rossi and Kimi — there are several key factors.

“As you get older nutrition becomes as important as training. It is crucial to understand what is going on in your body and know how to optimise your diet. You can make a massive amount of difference and extend a career by several years.

“What people don’t realise is that the gut has a major effect on the immune system, the brain and so many other functions in the human body,” he continued, revealing the diet of the 2007 world champion was determined through blood, urine and stool analysis.

“From the data collected, we can look at Kimi’s individual gut bio and what bacteria is in there and then tailor the probiotics to give his body what it needs. We can also use

PRO ZONE•MARK ARNALL

“AS YOU GET OLDER NUTRITION BECOMES AS IMPORTANT AS TRAINING. YOU CAN MAKE A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DIFFERENCE AND EXTEND A CAREER

BY SEVERAL YEARS.”

blood samples to identify food sensitivities.

These can cause problems with digestion, the immune system or weight loss.”

In Kimi’s case, the advanced analysis highlighted an insensitivity to garlic, which was promptly removed from his daily meals.

That such an extreme level of testing is easier to conduct on F1’s prosperous circuit is not lost on Mark, who acknowledges his workplace brings privileges and opportunities beyond the budgets of most budding athletes.

“The tests we do are particularly expensive but you can get blood work done that is cheaper,” he explained. “However, if you are unable to access a nutritionist or get blood sampling then there is so much research out there online and on apps about diets that are good for your gut. ‘‘It just comes down to trying to be the best you can across all areas and within the limitations you might have. No matter what level you are performing at you can always push the boundaries.”

Key to bending those boundaries is a balanced lifestyle, according to the experienced physio, who is about to embark on his 25th year in motor racing.

“I think the most important thing you can do to optimise your performance for longer, in any sport, is to build a structure into your life,” added the 48-year-old. “As you get older, the body wears down and you have got to train it so you can avoid getting problems. The best way to do this is by having a healthy balance and knowing what your body needs.

“This means going beyond training and nutrition and looking at stuff like sleep, the basics of hydration and your personal life.

They are just as important but often ignored.”

Mark, who also supported Kimi during his time driving for McLaren, Ferrari and Lotus and previously trained the Finn’s compatriot Mika Hakkinen, insists that when it comes to dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, finding a method specific to your own needs is critical.

“You need to get into a rhythm that suits you,” he continued. “Whether that is a sleeping pattern or how you get focused for a particular grading or tournament. Every Issue #5

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A life on the road: Mark Arnall, pictured centre, has become a master at maintaining fitness momentum while globe-trotting and has launched his own consultancy – and eBook – to support athletes who are always on the go. Find out more at www.markarnall.com

athlete in every sport is different.”

Citing Mika’s use of visualisation techniques as an example of finding that extra competitive edge, Mark recalled how the two-time world champion would talk his trainer through the perfect lap: “He would go through it corner by corner; explaining what gear he was in, what part of the kerb he was hitting and at the end give me the lap time he thought he could achieve.

“Between 85 and 90 percent of the time in qualifying he would be within a tenth of a second of the lap time he had given me and I believe that visualisation added another level to his performance.”

While mental strength may have contributed to Mika’s ability to overtake his race rivals, which included Michael Schumacher at the peak of his powers, remaining physically conditioned for competition becomes increasingly difficult.

“As you get older, your physical training needs to be more focused on injury prevention,” Mark said.

“This can be done by creating a foundation from using functional strength workouts.

All you need is 15 minutes. It is just about maintaining your levels rather than trying to increase muscle power and strength.

“Swimming works wonders for recovery because as long as you remember to breathe to both sides you get mobility in the spine as well as fitness. As time has gone by we have started to use it more with Kimi.”

F1’s demanding schedule — which can involve up to 275 days a year away from home and the convenience of a familiar gym — has

“A LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING EVERY DAY IS BETTER THAN DOING NOTHING AT ALL. EVEN IF YOU HAVE NO EQUIPMENT, YOU CAN STILL DO A WORKOUT.”

made Mark more savvy about maintaining his own fitness.

Indeed, a life “on the road” has made him a master of maximising opportunities to train.

“When you are travelling, be it business or leisure, it is a lot easier to do something than people may think,” added the former climbing instructor. “It all comes down to planning, if you know you are going to be away or unable to attend class for a while create a plan and fit a workout into your schedule. A little bit of something every day is better than doing nothing at all. Even if you have no equipment, you can still do a full workout. If you are in a hotel environment or locked down at home, for example, you can use parts of the room to create a training session with some bodyweight work.

“Similarly, you can use stairs to do a step workout — it is just about having an open mind and looking at what is around you.”

While being able to call upon the services of someone such as Mark for such tips undoubtedly pays dividends when it comes to staving off slowing down, the F1 fitness guru is adamant karateka of all ages already possess the necessary fuel to keep their engines running.

The trainer, who can also count England Rugby World Cup winner Dan Luger among his clients, is a firm believer that the drive to stay fitter for longer must come from within.

“There are so many different excuses people make and ‘I haven’t got enough time’ is normally the most common,” he concluded.

“However, if you get up 15 minutes earlier, you can do the necessary core work that will make a difference — it is as simple as that.”

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FIT TO FIGHT•JOHN CRAIG

CEMENT YOUR CORE

F

OLLOWING a year in which training away from the dojo became a necessity rather than a complementary activity, Shimbun is delighted to welcome fitness expert John Craig to the team.

With more than 20 years of experience in the field of sports rehabilitation, the personal trainer has joined our ranks to help readers stay in shape and sharpen their sensei-taught

skills. In his first coaching clinic, John looks at how to strengthen the muscles that form the basis of all movement.

Having a strong core — the deep layer of muscles around your abdomen and torso — is crucial to reaching peak performance in martial arts.

Positively impacting on posture and arm and leg mobility, a solid centre will bring extra “snap” to your blocks, strikes and kicks.

SIDE STARFISH Suggested reps: x10 What does it do? This exercise engages the glutes, which help with leg extensions and hip rotations. Crucially it also works the obliques — the muscles surrounding the abs — that serve as stabilisers and are used in almost every physical activity.

What do I do? n Start in a side plank position with your hand placed beneath your shoulder; n Raise your top leg off the ground and hold the position for a few seconds; n Drop the leg back down into the side plank position; n Repeat on the other side.

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The following exercises provide a quick and efficient means of adding steel to your core.

As with all physical training it is important to find an intensity that is right for you and some may find the drills outlined — and the remainder of the circuit in our supporting video — too difficult or easy to complete.

Either way, don’t dismiss them — just tailor the number of repetitions completed to ensure you are stretched and work up a sweat each session.

THREAD THE NEEDLE Suggested reps: x10 What does it do? This exercise encourages greater movement in the thoracic spine — the part of the backbone which runs from the base of the neck down to the abdomen — and improves overall flexibility.

What do I do? n Start on your side with your hand directly underneath your shoulder and feet and knees stacked; n Lift your hips up into a side plank and point the top arm up towards the sky; n Take the top arm and thread it through the open space underneath you while you rotate your shoulders and hips towards the floor; n Repeat on the other side.

DOLPHIN PLANK Suggested reps: x10 What does it do? This variation of the plank helps bolster arm strength and can provide relief from backache. However, its primary focus is on strengthening the abdomen.

What do I do? n Start in a plank position; n Push on your toes slightly to bring your shoulders forward and then straighten arms; n Lower your head between your arms to a dolphin position; n Hold the position for a few seconds before returning to the starting plank.

SUPERMAN PRESS-UPS Suggested reps: x10 What does it do?

Otherwise known as the single-arm, single-leg press-up, the Superman is an advanced variation exercise that will strengthen your chest and core.

What do I do? n Assume the normal press-up position with your feet together and perform the regular movement; n At the top of that movement, raise your opposite leg and arm; n Lower your arm and leg to return to the start position; n Alternate — raising the other arm and leg — to complete a set of 10.

Watch the full circuit at shimbunmag.com Issue #5

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Karate ToWN I can’t believe It! It says ‘black belts only’

This is the worst!

#1

That just makes me want to go in even more

STARRING SHINO & TSUKI

Hey kids...

I bet they do all kinds of super-secret training in there

BLACK BELTS ONLY!

super secret training...

You guys should be careful out here, You don’t want to set off the gates’ security system

did somebody say Black belt?

SO COOL

I have to get a black belt

it just so happens that I have a black belt that you could have

What do you say?

Anyway, I’ve gotta run, I have a super-secret training session to get to. don’t tell anyone tho

I’ll take it!

Boom! instant black belt. now to see what’s on the other side of this gate

suddenly...

BZZZT

Uh oh

INTRUDER ALERT!

STEP FAKER DETECTED! BEGINNING ELIMINATION IN 10 SECONDS!

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i think I might have messed up

that’s right boy!

the belt... take off the belt!

?

I own you now!

I’m trying, but it won’t come off

ha! haha

!

Yaaa

huh?

what is all this commotion?

Now I’m going to use you like a puppet to fight your friend! ha! haha

This doesn’t look good...

but i have an idea

I just hope this works!

C I M A D Y N ATER RAY!

H! LAS P S

W

There’s no faking being a black belt. It’s not something you wear, it’s something you become.

woah is this paint?

It wasn‘t even a real black belt?

hmmm, it seems kind of cheesy, but maybe they have a point

If you’ve learned your lesson.

I suppose i don’t have to eliminate you this time

I guess I’ll have to stick to training as hard as I can

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BOW OUT•AROUND THE DOJOS

‘TAIL’ OF THE TAPE T

OTTENHAM vs Arsenal, Ferrari vs Mclaren, Reds vs Wartahs. Such showdowns are often responsible for sparking bouts of otherwise unseen animosity within families and friendship groups.

There are, however, few things in life quite as divisive as the decadesold debate among animal lovers over which of Mother Nature’s four-legged friends reigns supreme.

While a lasting truce is unlikely, Shimbun is on a mission to discover which pet sits atop of GKR Karate’s podium by pitching your dojo dogs and kata cats against each other in a series of reader polls.

Our first contest is an all-Australian affair and sees, in the blue corner, Shuto attempting to sniff out a victory for Team Canine and, in the red, Neko baring his claws for Team Feline.

To cast your vote, leave a comment on our related Facebook, Instagram or Twitter post, or send an email to shimbun@gkrkarate.com with your chosen victor in the subject title.

SPARRING PARTNER Yogesh Maharaj, Shodan (Region 3) NATIONALITY Australian AGE 9 months FIGHTER BIO Named after his family’s favourite block and strike, Shuto has made a big impact in a short time. A lockdown addition to the Maharaj household, this pint-sized pup is blessed with immense speed and is a regular pace setter during training runs. The Jack Russell’s ligtning reactions — and love for darting in and out of range to grab his favourite toys — have helped to hone Yogesh’s open hand movements and blocks.

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If you think your furry friend has what it takes to lead Team Canine or Team Feline to victory in the biggest dojo showdown since Lawrence vs LaRusso, send a photo to shimbun@gkrkarate.com

NEKO SPARRING PARTNER Nikki Arthur, Nidan (Region 10) NATIONALITY Australian AGE 2-and-a-half FIGHTER BIO Known to partake in bare-paw kumite with any brave enough to mess with his play tunnel, Neko is a natural ninja and has a love for sneaking up on karateka mid-training session. A fan of watching Cobra Kai, he shares a home with — among others — a black belt and two teenage brown belts. Consequently, Neko’s karate skills are continually improving and, needless to say, his grasp of neko ashi dachi is already better than most.

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BOW OUT• GAMES

RETRO KICKS Shimbun takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane to rediscover some classic martial arts games that still pack a mean punch KARATE found its way into the mainstream in an age when hair was big, music cheesy and the king of entertainment was the coin-operated arcade machine.

In a 1980s after-class ritual, gi-clad kids would swarm leisure centre foyers or linger in fast food halls to engage in coded combat. Hungrily devouring loose change by the pocketful, these strategically-placed cabinets combined a few dream moves with a compelling storyline.

They might look dated today, but if you ever wondered where your sensei spent their childhood downtime, it is a safe bet it was in front of one of these machines — bashing buttons and fighting pixelated opponents.

Thanks to modern consoles and their respective digital download sites, today’s tech-savvy karateka can now sample these titles for themselves from the comfort of their own living rooms.

From the arcade archives (clockwise from top): Karate Champ, Ninja Gaiden, Final Fight, Street Smart and Yie Ar Kung Fu

Karate Champ Year released: 1984 Play today: Switch, PS4 Japanese video game firm Data East was among the first to cash in on the coin-op karate craze with this outing, which sees gi-wearing fighters take each other on in dignified combat.

The title's graphics are well-rendered and those bashing the buttons can string together a number of authentic offensive and defensive moves. Combos made up of leg sweeps, kicks and punches are easy to execute, while the ability to perform a backflip is useful for evading opponents.

A proliferation of karate titles on home computers were released around the same time — headed by Melbourne House’s classic The Way of the Exploding Fist.

Yie Ar Kung Fu Year released: 1985 Play today: Switch, PS4 It might look and feel dated in the console age but — like Karate Champ — this Konami title undoubtedly had a significant influence on 66

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“IF YOU EVER WONDERED WHERE YOUR SENSEI SPENT THEIR CHILDHOOD DOWNTIME, IT IS A SAFE BET IT WAS IN FRONT OF ONE OF THESE MACHINES.” the modern fighting game. The action follows a story in which players must progressively battle 11 fighters — each tougher than the last and boasting their own attacking style.

The central character, Oolong, has overtones of Bruce Lee and — with a little experimentation — can perform 16 unique moves. Such a range is welcome given the opposition he faces is no pushover.

Ninja Gaiden Year released: 1988 Play today: Switch, PS4 Observers of the video games scene during the 1980s will notice that combat titles became progressively darker and more unsavoury as the decade progressed.

Tecmo’s Ninja Gaiden — which was also

known as Shadow Warriors to Western players — is one such case in point. Following in the wake of Double Dragon and Renegade, this side-scrolling beat ‘em up sees two heroes fighting their way through the USA to defeat an evil cult. Battling with a combination of bare hands and an occasional weapon, this is an unashamed urban brawl — albeit with martial arts finesse — in which opponents can be mercilessly hurled over ledges or booted into a variety of street furniture.

The game’s continue screen, in which players must scramble for coins before a circular saw eviscerates their captured fighter, was a particular talking point.

Final Fight Year released: 1989 Play today: Switch, PS4, Xbox One Starting on the drawing board as a sequel to the 1987 hit Street Fighter, the design of this game was changed amid the proven popularity of side-scrolling brawler titles.

It was a happy co-incidence for the result was an instant classic, arguably better than any of the competition. Choosing from two martial arts experts and a human tank of a bodybuilder, players must battle an endless stream of baddies to rescue a captured girlfriend. Each of the characters has specialist skills, ranging from killer moves to weapons handling, which are needed as the scrap becomes increasingly intense.

Even with the passing of 30 years it is still as potent and addictive as the day it was released. Final Fight is best enjoyed in cooperative two-player mode.

You can sample the title as part of the Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle compilation.

Street Smart Year released: 1989 Play today: Switch, PS4, Xbox One Developer SNK provided a glimpse of the shape of things to come with this title that pits players against foes in the same urban arena settings as Street Fighter. Virtual combatants can string together moves using a combination of button bashing and joystick wiggling to take down a series of opponents that become increasingly more testing.

As women — apparently — shunned taking part in martial arts and only ever watched during the 1980s, fighting prowess is rewarded with the attentions of a pixel-pleasing female spectator. Times have truly changed for the better. While offering co-operative play, Street Smart offers the unusual experience of requiring combatants to do battle with each other to claim ultimate victory.

Players will find the title as part of the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection.

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