Kaizen 2022 — A Review with Lucci Del-Gaudio

Kaizen Martial Arts Expo returned to Nottingham after a 3 year hiatus due to the global Covid pandemic. It was once again an honour to have been invited to participate at the event in a dual role — teaching and representing the Erle Montaigue System [Old Yang Style Taijiquan Combatives] on the mats, as well as reporting on behalf of the magazine.

The event was held at the Clifton Leisure centre and you knew it was a sellout as soon as you arrived at the car park — there was simply no room! I literally had to leave my car in the middle of the car park in a lane blocking 6 other vehicles after having spent 20 minutes trying to find a space!

Inside, the hall was already jam packed with people watching the opening demonstrations mixed in with a cacophony of sound. Folk were excitedly looking at the schedules to see who was teaching when on the mats so that they could join in — and once again, as in the previous years, all the zones very fully supported by keen participants packing the mats.

I, myself, was the opening act in zone one, followed by the legend that is Simon Oliver, then we had the tag team of Redah Madouri and Peter Mogridge before the Ed Sheeran of martial arts — Tommy Joe Moore hit the mats with a few shopping bags in his own imitable style!

Having chosen to go first on the mats was perfect, it meant that I could spend the rest of the day photographing and interviewing folk.

As per norm, Kaizen brought the best of the most experienced martial artists in the UK and Europe, as well as becoming the platform for up and coming talent.

I had wanted to interview Lucci Del-Gaudio — Mr Kaizen himself — on the day, but it simply became impossible due to the level of activity and noise in the hall… we were literally having to shout to make ourselves heard. In the end, I decided to leave it until after the event and finally I managed to get Lucci down to my place in Leicester and ask him how he had thought the day had gone?

LH: So, Lucci, thanks for popping down to Leicester and sharing your thoughts on Kaizen with our readers.

Well, we had Kaizen earlier in June and it was a massive success! We literally had hundreds of people go through the doors and it wasn’t just the martial artists who were participating, there were whole families there — mums and dads with their kids, and it wasn’t just a case of leaving the kids there alone, the parents joined in and made it a great day for everyone. It had a community feel. What did you make of it?

Lucci: Well, yes, exactly that! It has always been organic right from the start, from day one! I mean you’ve been there from the beginning yourself, and it wasn’t planned that way — it happened naturally and that’s what has made it special in many ways, and it has carried on!

Admittedly, I was worried after lockdown. The last event which we did in 2019, I thought that that was the peak… it was a larger venue and we had almost a thousand people walk through the doors and I thought how are we going to come back from that, especially after covid? I mean, we had done nothing for 3 years! No massive events, nothing! We had done the Japanese Martial Arts show in October last year, but that was a small event nothing on the scale of Kaizen.

LH: Yes, I was there for that one too. I guess that was almost a dry run, kind of getting back into the water and preparing for the big event?

Lucci: Exactly, exactly! It was just that, but it was also a different show, a different concept to Kaizen. And, I was like, how are we going to bounce back? I guess in the end it was just a case of doing it. So, that’s what I did. Unfortunately, our regular venue over the previous years had their roof fall through, so that was unavailable, so there was more pressure — finding a new suitable venue. I ended up at the Nottingham Council offices in search of a venue and they asked if I had thought about using the Clifton Leisure Centre? Funnily enough, I hadn’t even

thought about that and I literally live in a village opposite the centre, just down the road! To put you in the picture, I walked here, I didn’t even have to drive, so it was really good. And, I remember Nas, around 10 am, I looked around and thought, I don’t want anymore people coming here! As I turned around and looked at the door, I saw a queue and thought, where am I going to put these people?

LH: Yeah, I mean when I got there the place was already heaving, there was no place to park. I literally left my car in the middle of the car park and rushed inside, and I had got there early!

Lucci: Well, yeah, I saw you walk onto the mats and it was packed, I mean how many people did you have there waiting to train with you?

LH: To be honest, I couldn’t count! My mat was full and there were also people standing on the edges training in the aisles!

Lucci: Yeah, with the parking — it wasn’t just the car park which was full, also the side streets had no parking left!

LH: Yeah, so it was a fantastic comeback — a brilliant comeback and hats off to you, you deserve the credit and congratulations and one of the questions I wanted to ask you was how did you feel seeing all those folk?

Lucci: I was really overwhelmed! I mean, I felt great, but I kept thinking in my head… no more now! All the mats and zones are full! The vendors were happy. Everyone is selling, the people are happy and I’m like — they just kept on coming in! It was constant all day. The good thing about Clifton is that we have a good tram service, so that made travelling easier for a lot of the locals and those coming by train.

So, yeah, it was a brilliant comeback and when I saw the venue originally, I thought this is plenty big enough. However, on Saturday night when we were laying down the mats and marking out the zones, I said to one of my

coaches… I think we should’ve got a bigger boat! He’s like, no, no… it’ll be all right! And I’m like, seriously, you need to look at this from my perspective! I mean, we had built a weapons area and we had to make it smaller to fit the other guys in! I need to put more mats down… seriously, we need a bigger boat! Nah! You’ll be fine, this is huge! I’m like, it’s not big enough! I’ve dropped a clanger here, and I were right! There was room and people could move. We got away with it! However, I did need it to be at least two more seminar spaces bigger!

LH: Yeah, certainly the weapons area needed to be much bigger!

Lucci: I agree! I mean there were all sorts going off in that area… nunchakus, escrima, swords and what not! I’ve learnt from it though. Each event I’ve done, I take something from it and learn from it!

LH: Well, the brilliant thing about it was — like in previous years at Kaizen — not only did you have your experienced heads there, there was also a lot of new up and coming talent and that has been Kaizen’s hallmark!

Lucci: Yes, that is true! What I enjoy doing Nasser is looking for tomorrow’s heroes, the future martial artists, and giving them a platform. I mean, even looking back from the first Kaizen in 2017, there were instructors who were just starting out and they have gone on to do great things already! You, yourself, again have seen that! And we have many new faces for next year too!

LH: Well let’s come on to that, Kaizen Adrenaline — that’s 2023!

Lucci: Yeah, yeah, I was just going to call it Adrenaline, but people didn’t want me to take the Kaizen name away!

LH: Kaizen Adrenaline… and as I understand it, there will be new disciplines?

Lucci: Well, it’s a new venue. A bigger boat and a new concept! I think it might be a little too big , but we will grow into it!

LH: Well, can it be too big? I mean you’re going to add much more stuff to it!

Lucci: It’s called Adrenaline for a reason. I mean when you walk through those doors I want everything to hit folk and their adrenaline raised to the rooftop! I want people to complain that there was so much stuff there, I didn’t know where to start! I want that kind of feeling!

LH: So, is it going to stay all under wraps or are you going to give a glimpse to folk of what to expect?

Lucci: Well, there will be lots of surprises, let’s just put it that way!

LH: That’s great and in terms of the venue… are we still in Nottingham?

Lucci: Yes, we are still in Nottingham. We are in a lovely part called West Bridgeford. It’s only a couple of miles from the main city centre, but there is also plenty nearby. Lots of hotels and places to stay. It’s called the Rushcliffe Arena, it’s pretty new. It’s an absolutely huge place and it ticks all the boxes. It’s got places to eat and an absolutely huge car park which can accommodate 1000 vehicles easily!

LH: Well that’s great! I mean choice of food is important — especially for those who are not training! I loved the cake stall at Kaizen this year.

Lucci: Yeah, well you know I like to do things different. I mean, I brought Sword Punk in this year for just that reason. I want Kaizen to be different… not just another expo following the usual format! Next year we’re going to have kettle bells, cross fit, fitness and all sorts!

LH: So, you’re going to have a fitness zone?

Lucci: No, not a fitness Zone! It’ll be all mixed in with everything! I mean we may have someone give a Karate seminar and immediately someone else follows them up with a kettle bells session!

LH: Ok, so now we have many other events coming up — would it be fair to say that Kaizen is becoming an events promoter?

Lucci: Yes, that’s right. Kaizen is becoming Ltd!

LH: So then, under the Kaizen banner we will see things like the Asian Martial Arts Show coming up later in the year, and of course the Japanese Martial Arts Show which you held last year, and I believe there is another one of those coming up too?

Lucci: Yes, these are smaller niche events which will happen under the Kaizen banner. They will be smaller in comparison. More specialist and of course everyone will still be welcome to attend. I mean, take the Japanese Martial Arts Show which we did last year… it was just that — Japanese based arts. However, do to the politics which you find in all martial arts, it took a lot of hard work to bring the various organisations and their breakaways all into the same room. But, we did it and it was a great success! We managed to get the two biggest Jujitsu groups, who had separated over 20 years ago into the same room for the first time. That was no mean feat!

LH: But that is great! You are helping break down barriers — so it’s a positive!

Lucci: Yeah! Look… there’s a lot of things going on behind the scenes, but I tend to stay away from the politics!

LH: That’s always going to be there!

Lucci: Well, another one of the signs of our success was also that people were trying to sell forged tickets to Kaizen on the black-market!

LH: That’s a compliment — I’m sure. When folk are trying forgery, it means you have something of value!

Lucci: As you know, each year we give a lot of tickets away — especially to charities and groups and individuals with needs. This has been always Kaizen’s spirit. I mean we have worked with groups like Adaptive Martial Arts, led by Neil Kirkland and the gang down in Cambridge, who do a brilliant job and well will continue to stand alongside them and other groups, but we do keep a database for our tickets and who they are allocated too… so sorry forgers, you’re not pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes!

LH: Yes, it’s absolutely great what you do for charities and I know Kaizen helps quite a few.

Lucci: Yes, we had the Air Ambulance this year, as well as Adaptive Martial Arts, whom we have already mentioned along with a few others.

LH: Excellent! So, the next one is in Wolverhampton in October — The Asian Martial Arts Show?

Lucci: Yes, but prior to that there will be a lowkey Japanese Martial Arts Show as well. As for the AMS — we have Mark Stas coming over, and it will be his first appearance in the UK at any martial arts event!

LH: Well that’s great! I’m looking forward to that… and once again congratulations for pulling of what you did after a 3 year break.

Lucci: Yeah, well you know I was prepared for all sorts, but everything came out right and I even got back home for six!

LH: So, you’re going to put up all the information for the upcoming events on the Kaizen social media pages?

Lucci: Yes, it will be all up there and folk need to move fast — 75% of the sponsorship spots have been taken up already! This was within 48 hours of us announcing the 2023 event. And as you know, we help clubs, instructors etc, so we have wholesale prices for tickets and we just released the first 300 and they have already all been snapped up!

LH: Well that’s just brilliant! As I’ve said, Im looking forwards to the Asian Martial Arts Show…

Lucci: Yes, and we’ll have a meal after too, along with a small presentation — they are not awards… I want to make that clear — just a Thank you and appreciation for some of the hard work that folk put in! There will be some entertainment and a curry!

LH: Brilliant! Listen, I enjoyed myself on the mats in Kaizen and I don’t think I saw one empty mat at any time.

Lucci: No, there wasn’t!

LH: I mean, credit and respect to all the instructors who stepped onto the mats — each mat was heaving and that showed their quality! There was so much talent there and folk wanted to train with so many, but of course they couldn’t.

Lucci: Yeah, and there was absolutely nothing we can do about that. I mean we set a timetable and then it’s just a case of bad luck if 3 of the people you plan on training with happen to be teaching at the same time! We introduced Combatives this time… I mean it was huge risk but one which I was happy to take. I mean you saw those guys…huge, with big beards and going at it!

LH: Reminded me of the big hairy bikers! But, they were great!

Lucci: Yeah! Proper gents too!

LH: And it was great seeing kids trying with them too.

Lucci: We also had Systema and the Doncaster Sambo guys. And you know, Redah drove all the way from France and back against for the day!

LH: Well it sounds exciting for next year and can’t wait!

Lucci: Yes, it’s going to be great, but I’ll see you first at the Asian Martial Arts Show — I’ve got you on the main mats for that along with Jon Xue… he’s filming at the moment, for Netflix — that’s why he couldn’t make it to Kaizen. I mean, he had the choice between Kaizen and filming for Netflix — he chose Netflix… I’d have chosen Kaizen [laughs]!

LH: I know, I spoke to him He’s filming alongside Michelle Yeoh! I mean to be fair Lucci… Michelle Yeoh? Kaizen? I’d have opted for filming with the legend too!

Lucci: I can’t believe he turned us down for her! [Laughs] No, seriously… he’s doing wonderfully well and we’re all proud of him and looking forward to having him back for the Asian Martial Arts Show.

LH: Well, Jon features in this issue of Lift Hands! Lucci… it’s been a pleasure chatting to you and looking forwards to the coming events. Thanks for taking the time out and chatting to us about Kaizen and what’s to come.

Lucci: Can’t wait to read it and looking forwards to your 20 Questions with Simon Oliver too in the next issue. It’s been great being here too. Onwards!

Photography by Nasser Butt ©2021