THE SPIRIT OF FULL CONTACT KARATE
OSU !
APRIL 2012 / Issue 2
Exclusive Interview With Soshu Shigeru Oyama, 10th Dan
WORLD OYAMA KARATE
OSU! MAGAZINE
SPIRIT OF PERSEVERANCE
SPOTLIGHT: SENSEI BENALIO PARDON
COVER STORY: SOSHU SHIGERU OYAMA
COVENANT OF TRUST 3 TEACHING STRATEGIES FIGHT STRONG SAVAGE DISCIPLINE WHAT IS KYOKUSHIN
PUBLISHER NOTE Fall Down Seven Times, Get Up Eight Nana Korobi Ya Oki They say that in times of crisis people show their true character. Anyone can be cooperative, patient, and understanding when things are going well and life is good. But it is the noble man or woman who can behave with grace and compassion and even kindness when times are bad, even very bad. Sosai Mas Oyama sums it up best,
Sometimes to achieve your goals and see your dreams , you have to go through the fire, and maybe you will get burned. Remember there is a greater power in you. Tap into your OSU! during these times.
So take a look at your endurance to “A human life gains luster and challenges and your ability in strength only when it is overcoming these obstacles. Pat polished and tempered.� yourself on the back every time you get back up and encourage those around you to do the same. This will allow you to walk the walk and lead by example, the way a true warrior should behave. Duval Hamilton, Publisher OSU! MAGAZINE OSUMAGAZINE.COM
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Kyokushin Karate Teaches Spirit of 'Perseverance Sometimes I wonder if I was out of my mind when I contacted the local karate club last year. You see I have social phobia and training karate when you have that are more than difficult. I have no idea where I got the courage from to contact them so I guess that I was more than crazy that summer day! But maybe I was tired of being scared. Lucky me they had an email address and not just a phone number to call, because for someone like me it's easier to write than talk. The reason I sent that email is because I wanted to learn self-defense since someone I'm acquainted with got stalked and raped. This terrible incident made me scared of men and darkness, in fact I dreaded to go out at night. Luckily I got a friendly answer from the head instructor who encouraged me to come and try it out.One Monday evening in the beginning of September I went to the dojo for the first time to get some more information and watch the others train. I was pretty nervous when I opened the door. The head instructor welcomed me with a smile and I'm glad that he didn't tell me then that the karate style he teaches, Kyokushin, is the strongest karate in the world, because that would probably had made me even more scared. However, he did tell me that there weren't enough people to start a new group but that I was welcome to train with them anyway, he added that it would be tough for me to train with those who already had practiced for several years. And was he right about that! Particularly since the majority of the group is around 20 years old. I wonder if these young people have any idea how hard it is for a woman in her midthirties to start training something as hard as Kyokushin with them, especially since I have recently recovered from an eating disorder, meaning that I have been very skinny and it had been hard to get all the muscles back. I would soon come to experience the rigor of the training. I definitely got to feel where I had my spine when we did sit ups! Ouch! "When can I start?" I asked curiously. Immediately "NO!" I said affrightedly. "Aha, you want to be mentally prepared" he said with a twinkle in his eye.
You bet, I thought to myself. I didn't think I
times for the brain to recognize a movement.
had enough strength to do it. The thought that I
The instructors often told me to let my feet slide
have bite off more than I could chew crossed my
against the floor when I did the moves. I heard
mind. However, it did look fun and I wanted to
what they said but I wondered if I was the only
learn how to physically protect myself, so why
one who got sweaty feet there! It felt like my feet
not give it a try. After mentally preparing, I
got sucked into the floor which made it hard to
returned the following Thursday. This was my
slide. My feet ached too because the skin
first karate lesson, a moment I will never forget!
abraded. I looked at the others' feet and
Kyokushin is a martial art from Japan, therefore
wondered how long you had to train to get as
are all the names they use for different
nice feet as they had. I have trained Kyokushin
techniques in Japanese. While I love languages,
for two semesters now and still my feet trouble
I must confess Japanese is one tricky language!
me. For those of you who don't know what it's
I didn't understand much. The instructor tried
like to have social phobia; imagine that you
his best to show me how to do different
often prefer to be invisible rather than visible,
movements with my arms and legs. The only
you do everything you can to avoid any
thing I came close was to look like a big
potentially scary situations and you dread
question mark, it was all very difficult. This may
almost all types of physical contact. That's why I
sound silly but it can be very complicated to
surprised even myself for choosing to expose
move your arms and legs in different directions
myself to Kyokushin. There have been many
at the same time! All the new information that I
difficult situations for me in the dojo. However,
tried to absorb just spun round and round in my
what has encouraged me is something that you
head. It was too much! The dojo was a stressful
often hear when you start training Kyokushin: to
place for me. While we were only around ten
never give up even when it's hard. They have a
people that time in the class, which may not
saying - Osu No Seishin - which means "Spirit
seem like a whole lot of people for some, but for
of Perseverance". This has become my motto.
me that's a crowd! In the end of the lesson there
These three little words, Osu No Seishin, I often
were some physical exercises. The instructor
repeat to myself. Karate is very challenging to
told us to lie down on our backs in order for him
me, I have sometimes wanted to give up, but
to walk on our tummies. I simply wanted to
each time my new motto has helped me to
disappear underground when I realized that I
persevere. Once I was the only woman in the
had to lie close to an unknown man and after
dojo but I was brave to stay! At one point when
that the instructor had walked on our tummies
we were practicing punches, the head instructor
he too lied down next to me! Did I mention that
expected me to hit his hand. I didn't think I had
I'm scared of men? Well, they didn't know this
it in me to hit and kick people but I did it
so I endured. But that was not the end! Now it
anyway, as best as I could. "I could barely feel
was one of the other students turn to walk on
it" he smiled. "Remember, this is the strongest
our bodies and this was repeated until all of us
karate in the world." They always tell me to hit
had walked on everyone. And oh how my body
harder. And I thought that I was so brave that
ached that night when I came home! Ouch! The
dared to touch him since someone like me often
next day I discovered bruises at my back. At the
think better to flee than to fight poorly. The
beginning of the semester I would wake up in
karate people are so demanding! Anyway, I'm
the middle of the night feeling how sore my
glad that I have the will power never to give up. I
body was because of the hard training.
am proud to say that I have managed to get my
Sometimes I even cried, not so much because
second orange belt! You see, it's literally blood,
of the pain but because of the constant physical
sweat and tears behind this accomplishment.
contact with the other students who were
However, this would never had been possible if
practically strangers to me. I wasn't used to so
it wasn't for my two instructors who have shown
much touching and sometimes it was just too
such patience in teaching me all the
much for me to handle. It was also very hard for
complicated techniques you need to know in
me to understand what they tried to teach me,
order to earn a belt. They have been very kind
which made me feel bad despite that the head
and understanding towards me.
instructor had told me that it takes thousands
Kyokushin Karate Teaches
MARTIAL ARTS WEEKLY
Spirit of 'Perseverance' (Con’t) However, he did tell me that there weren't enough people to start a new group but that I was welcome to train with them anyway, he added that it would be tough for me to train with those who already had practiced for several years. And was he right about that! Particularly since the majority of the group is around 20 years old. My instructor told me once that I didn't have to be afraid of the Kyokushin people. Over time I have come to realize that he was right about that. I have never in my entire life met such nice people before! I enjoy the friendly atmosphere in the dojo and the way people
By Anna-Stina Johansson Anna-Stina Johansson is an author from Lappland, Sweden. She is a graduate from Long Ridge Writers Group and a few years ago she published a children's book about animals in Sweden which she's planning to release in English. Anna-Stina lives with her two cats, San & Chewie, and trains Kyokushin Karate. Animals, nature and Kyokushin are three subjects she's really passionate about her by writing. This article was first published at NewsBlaze and then add this link: http:// newsblaze.com/story/20110731130018iasj.nb/ topstory.html
show each other respect. The Kyokushin people are great! Still I look at karate with delight mingled with terror and I doubt that I will stop entirely being nervous about going there. Despite all my problems I have grown to love this humble sport. It's so much fun! Indeed Kyokushin is my latest passion.
MARTIAL ARTS WEEKLY Online radio show which features some of the best martial arts instructors and fighters around the world. Listen every week on the BTR network. From knockdown karate to MMA
www.blogtalkrdio.com/ Martialartsweekly
SPOTLIGHT: SENSEI BENALIO LEO PARDON “drive to see his students advance.” Incidents of violence are happening more and more frequently, and no location is entirely safe. At one local nightclub, two guys start fighting in the VIP area. Bouncers rush in and break the two apart. While being escorted out of the nightclub, one of the angry antagonists gets free. Now armed with a telescopic baton, his target is anyone who is within range. One bouncer, trained martial artist Benalio Padron, intervenes. Using techniques from Kyokushin Karate that he has honed and perfected, Padron disarms and restrains the malcontent, ending the incident. This is only one real scenario that supports the practicality of perfecting Kyokushin moves. That practicality is what originally drove Padron to Kyokushin. Navigating the asphalt and glass streets of New York City, trouble found him as it found many. Training in one of the many New York dojos meant self-preservation. His safety, and now his leadership, was a direct result of the teachings of Shihan Oliver, Kancho Nakamura, and Soshu S. Oyama, “I still honor the traditional, old-school Karate, the way I learned with Oliver and his teachers,” says Padron. By the time he opened his own dojo in Columbus, Ohio. He says he feels a
When asked what his vision is that sets his dojo apart, he mentioned his teachers and that he wants to continue to “feel their spirit.” This means his students should always have “a warrior spirit”, which includes confidence and acceptance of situations with responsibility and self-discipline. “I try to use Karate as an intervention which channels that energy in a positive way.” Currently, Padron sees tournaments as a means to that end, and he has a few favorite moves and combinations that he feels pay off there. Sensei Padron teaches kyokushin karate the Oyama Juku/ Lion Dojo in Columbus, Ohio. He has been teaching karate since 1995 and has no plans on slowing down. *Article and interview written by Lisa Morefield. Photos by Rachelle Robinson Both of Columbus, Ohio
Armondo attempts a gedan mawashi-geri
Armondo slips under the hooking spin-kick.
Padron shifts back and prepares to deliver an ushiro mawashikake geri
Padron gets set for his second attack, a jodan mawashi geri to the head of Armondo.
SOSHU SHIGERU OYAMA
KNOCKDOWN KARATE’S LIVING LEGEND FOUNDER OF WORLD OYAMA KARATE
]
Soshu Shigeru Oyama Q1: What was your childhood like growing up in Japan? A1: When I was seven years old, the elementary schoolchildren were mass evacuated from Tokyo to the countryside. The war had started, and the American B29s were bombing Tokyo. All of the elementary schoolchildren in Tokyo were required to leave the city. So when I was seven, I left Tokyo for Akita Prefecture in northern Japan, about 280 miles northeast of Tokyo. I returned to Tokyo just when I finished up elementary school. Right after the war ended. After that, I attended a private junior high school and senior high school affiliated with Nihon University. I then attended a two-year junior college at the Nihon University Tsudanuma campus in Chiba, just west of Tokyo.All this time, I trained karate. From the time I graduated from elementary school. Then I came to the United States. That was 45 years ago and I’ve been here ever since. Q2: How old were you when you met Mas Oyama and how did you begin to train with him? A2:My teacher Sosai Masutatsu Oyama trained in the yard of our family home. My father looked after him for a time. Because of what my father did for him, Sosai Oyama paid for my education after my father’s business failed. Sosai sent me to junior and senior high school and junior college. Then I came to the US to teach karate. Q3: How did you develop your fighting style? A3: My teacher Sosai Oyama always said that kumite is the soul of karate and kihon is the soul of kumite. Kumite was always the focus of our training with Sosai Oyama. Although we practiced kata, kihon and kumite, Sosai put the most importance on kumite. This gradually becomes second nature. If someone strikes at you, you get out of the way. That’s right. If someone kicks you in the head, you hit back. Q4: What and who were your biggest influences? A4: Well, I’d have to say my biggest influence was President Reagan. I was invited to
When I met him, I was struck by how powerful
contains a lot of elements of kickboxing, you
he was. The US president is in a different
know.
league. Even when just sitting doing nothing, the
Q7: What was your 120-man kumite like?
president has this tremendous power. How can I
How did you end up fighting 120 instead of
say it? The president just oozes power. I thought
100? How long did it take to recover?
to myself, “So this is what it means to be a US
A7: Sosai Oyama required that anyone
president.” President Reagan’s son was a
going abroad to teach karate fight a 100-man
student at my dojo.
kumite. I fought mine so that I could come to the
Q5: Were you influenced by anything else?
US. It was actually 121 fights. At 121 fights,
A5: Yes, another big influence was my
Sosai got a phone call and finally stopped the
experience working as a bouncer in a nightclub.
fighting. But Sosai had made me continue
I came to the US at the height of the Vietnam
fighting until he got that call! Because he wanted
War. My salary at the dojo was $80 per week. I
to see me go down. But I was never once taken
couldn’t send any money to my wife and two
down.I came to the US right after I fought the
kids in Japan with this kind of pay. So I took a
121-man kumite. But, you know, at my green
night job as a bouncer.
card exam when I came to the US, I was black
I hit an awful lot of people. I hit a lot and
and blue all over. The doctor was shocked and
got hit a lot. You know, even women would just
asked me repeatedly if I was OK. My ribs were
take off and pop each other right off. In Japan,
cracked in about five places.
women will argue it out for a long time before
So when I first came to the US, I couldn’t
resorting to physical force. Americans hit first.
fight. I was swollen all over. I couldn’t fight for an
Both men and women. That’s one big difference
entire week. But they told me you have to fight
between Japan and the US. I was shocked. But
in the US. Kumite is the foundation of Kyokushin
it was all fun. When I look back on it.
after all. I told them to wait a little longer. The
My initial pay at the bouncer job was $12 a
students would spar right in front of me, though.
night. I eventually quit the nightclub due to the
They thought I was afraid and were starting to
low pay. Then they said, we’ll pay you $25 a
become skeptical of Japanese karate. Two
night if you’ll come back. So I went back to work
weeks after I arrived in the US, on a Monday
for $25 a night. When there was any kind of fight
evening, I told the students there would be no
or trouble, they all called for me—Oyama,
kihon or kata, just kumite that evening. I fought
Oyama, Oyama. Even though there were like 12
88 students. I kicked their assess. I threw them
bouncers. What were they all doing? Those
to the floor and laid them flat one by one. The
idiots. They were in the bathroom or counting
ambulances were coming and going. I lifted up
the money. So I quit again. Then they offered me
the heads of those who had been knocked out
$50 a night. Remember my weekly salary at the
by the hair and hit them in the jaw. It was pure
dojo was $80. But I could make $200 a week
chaos. And I couldn’t speak any English. “Yes,”
this way if I worked hard. At that time $1 was
“no,” “thank you,” “very kind,” that was about
400 yen. I was able to send money back to
the extent of it. “Thank you,” “very kind,” “yes,”
Japan this way.I worked the job for six years.
“no.” With only that little English, I thrashed 88
Then I opened a dojo in Manhattan and got a
students, one after the other. With that, my
visa. Which was later "taken down.” Yes, a lot of
reputation grew. In Westchester County. I then
things have happened.
did the same thing at the dojo in Bridgeport. I
Q6: In 1962 when Tadashi Nakamura and
fought 66 students at Bridgeport. I beat the shit
other Kyokushin fighters competed in Thailand
out of all of them. They were all afraid of me. It
against Thai boxers under Thai boxing rules, did
was just when my body had healed. At the time I
you play any role in their training, etc.?
was living with two judo instructors, one named
A6: I trained, too. There was a kick boxing
Watanabe and a Kodokan fourth-degree black
gym near the Kyokushin headquarters dojo. We
belt named George Gonzales who had opposed
were all training very seriously to go to Thailand.
Fidel Castro and fled Cuba. They said “Oyama,
In the end, I couldn’t get a visa and was unable
you have to fight in the US.” “Yeah, I know, " I
to go, but the others went. Kyokushin kumite
said. “But wait just a little longer.” Until my body recovers.
the White House to meet President Reagan.
]
]
Soshu Shigeru Oyama Q8: Who was the toughest opponent you ever fought? A8: The toughest opponent I ever fought? . . . There was none. No, I haven’t fought anyone I’ve thought of as a strong or fearsome opponent. I’ve fought all around the world, from Russia to Poland to Brazil, but I’ve never lost a fight. Q9: What are some of your memories about coming to the USA and starting to teach karate here? A9: My strongest impression on coming to the US was that the US is all about action. Action, not talk. No one will respect you here unless you can prove that you are capable of action. You’ve got to show what you’ve got even if it kills you. Then no one will challenge you. Everyone will respect you. Talk will get you nowhere here. The US is a country of action. Period. I love the US. Q10: You have taught many amazing fighters. Who were some of the best you have seen? A10: The best were Katsuaki Sato, Toshikazu Sato, Takashi Azuma, Willie Williams, Joko Ninomiya. I’ve also raised a number of champions in Western and Eastern Europe, including the British champion Howard Collins. Q11: How did Kyokushin Karate transition from the days when sparring included face punches and groin kicks to what it is now with no face punches, etc.? A11:There used to be a small ballet school behind Rikkyo University in the Ikebukuro district of Tokyo. Sosai Masutatsu Oyama rented the school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I commuted there from our home in Chiba from the time I was in junior high school. Face punches were allowed at that time. I was surprised to find that everyone had their hands wrapped in towels. Teeth will cut up your hands. So everyone had their hands wrapped in towels. Ah, so that’s it, I thought, and also wrapped towels around my hands. The number of students gradually increased. But you can’t really grow a dojo if you allow face punches.
That’s why strikes to the face were gradually disallowed.
Q16: What is the best way to deal with fear?
Also, when you hit someone in the face, the
A16:Fear is a part of being human. All
blood gets in the way. You have to hit up from
people feel fear sometimes. I don’t feel it very
under the face, from under the jaw. Kicking is
often, but when I do feel afraid or nervous, I
allowed. It’s OK to kick someone in the face with
keep a poker face. I hide my emotions, and I
your foot.
fight harder.
Q12: Why did you break off from Kyokushin Karate to form USA Oyama Karate? A12:Twenty or twenty-five years ago, I found that it was getting harder and harder to be
Q17: Please talk about the meaning of Osu. A17:Osu means respect. It’s a sign of respect. Yes, osu first and foremost means respect.
part of the Kyokushin Karate organization. There were so many restrictions. They would suspend
Q18: Karate is an interesting combination
or expel you for any little thing. I thought it
of politeness, respect, and kindness, mixed with
would be really bad if something happened. So I
brutality and violence. How do you see this?
felt like I couldn’t be a part any more and I left. Because I didn’t want to cause any problems. There’s a famous old Japanese saying “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down,” meaning that people who stand out in any way,
A18:Karate rejects violence, with “osu.” Karate is about politeness and respect. You must respect your opponent. And this respect starts with pride in yourself. Karate does not tolerate arrogance. It’s a
people who rise to success, will be beaten
discipline aimed at perfecting the self. It’s not
down. By those who are threatened.
just about fighting. There is no violence. No violence whatsoever.
Q13: What are your thoughts on mixed martial arts?
Q19: Is there an ideal way of eating for a
A13:It’s really a matter of personal preference. Mixed martial arts is a good sport.
martial arts fighter? A19:No, just a normal diet is fine. But, you
But, you know, karate is a mixed martial art.
have to have take in a lot of calories when you
Judo, too.Judo consists of strikes and kicks.
are training. Much more than the ordinary
Karate also includes throwing and choking
person.
techniques in the kata. Even though these techniques aren’t included in sparring, they are a part of karate. The only difference is that the mixed martial artist takes these techniques to
Q20: Besides karate training, what other forms of exercise should a martial artist do? A20:That depends on the person. Running
the ring. So mixed martial arts is not really an
marathons, weightlifting, it’s different for
original concept, in my opinion. But even so it's
everyone. There’s no certain form or forms of
quite a phenomenon.
exercise that everyone should do. It’s whatever works best for the individual person.
Q14: What are your thoughts on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which mostly concentrates on ground fighting? A14: It’s impressive! They start standing up and end up fighting on the ground. But ground fighting is an important aspect of karate training, too. I always teach ground techniques. Q15: What role does the mental and spiritual aspect play in being a martial artist? A15:You have to set a goal for yourself and stay true to it. And then not give up until you achieve it.
]
]
“Karate is like climbing a mountain. Life, too, is like climbing a mountain. It is important to try hard to reach the top at your own pace. Once you are on top, you can look all around. If you stay at the bottom, you can only look up”. Shigeru Oyama
Soshu Shigeru Oyama Interview by Dr. Peter Goldman, DC who is a black
Q21: Please talk about the meditation done before and after karate class.
belt student of Soshu Oyama and represented the US for Soshu at the 1991 European Knockdown championships in
A21:The mediation before class is to cut yourself off from the outside world, to empty your mind and spirit so that you can focus on training. In
Holland. His website is sfgoldman.com Interview conducted in Japanese and translated into
other words, the meditation prepares you to train by clearing the mind of worldly thoughts and eliminating distractions.
English by Kathleen Geisse, Ph.D.
The meditation after class is a moment to express your gratitude, a moment to contemplate on how you safely completed your training. So class begins and ends with mediation. Q22: Is there anything you would like to add? Any message you want to give the full contact karate community? A22: Just one thing. One very important thing. Get out there and break a sweat. The karate I teach is action and there is no action without sweat. To sweat is to train.
]
[16]
COVENANT OF TRUST
THE COVENANT OF TRUST Hi. I'm a beginner. I'm just going to put that out there right now. I'm not an expert. I'm not the foremost source of knowledge in all things Kyokushin. I am a 6th kyu in a small dojo that is, by and large, peopled by karateka who prefer to remain outside of the public eye. It is my hope, however, that you find what I have to say to be interesting, and that you will find some value in my words. I am honored to be given the opportunity to speak to you all here. When I first walked into the dojo that I have come to think of as home, I was nervous, and I had no idea what to expect. I looked around, seeing what seemed like a sea of unfamiliar faces. That sea seemed like it was endless, though it probably only consisted of about ten people. I wasn't sure how I should act, what would be expected of me, or whether or not anyone would accept me. For about four months before I started my training in a formal dojo, I'd been learning rather freestyle from my primary Sensei. I was his only student, and our dojo was a horse pasture, a parking lot, the snow-packed top of a mountain, or, most often, my kitchen. Sensei had trained me with an eye for self-defense, and possibly fighting fullcontact knockdown sometime down the road. He did not, in those early days, take much time teaching me about how to behave in a dojo. Neither one of us really expected to set foot in one any time in the near future. That all changed when we stumbled upon a dojo where my Sensei's old Sensei, now a Shihan, was teaching. They had been out of contact for some time, thanks to moving around a lot, and we decided to pay him a visit. I had heard a lot of great stories about this man that my Sensei admired so very much, and I was eager to meet him myself. We walked in just to say hi, and walked out with instructions to get our dogi and come to class the next week. After the meeting had ended, we sat in the car, silent for a moment. "What just happened back there?" I asked my Sensei. "I told you he can't be described adequately," Sensei replied, "especially his force of personality." I was quite honored by the invitation to come train, and Sensei was happy to be
reunited with his old instructor. My formal dojo-
also came into play. I charged at my new
based training had begun.
classmates like a rabid honey badger. I ran one
The thing about training in a dojo is that
of them into every single punching bag,
you are very important. Your own journey is very
slamming into my own Sensei on the way past,
important. But everyone else's is too, and you
then turned him around and ran him into all of
are a part of a community. In my dojo we are, as
them again on the way back. "Ring
my instructors tell me, friends and family. We
generalship," I thought, "Sensei said I should
depend on one another. We support one
control my space!" I chased them, throwing a
another. We help each other learn, and grow. By
flurry of blows. Horrible, improper strikes, being
doing this, we all grow stronger together.
a white belt and all, but I was being so
My first kumite session was rather
aggressive and I am so big and heavy that this
disastrous, but not in the ways I first realized.
didn't matter so much to the students I was
Before that, my second class at the dojo, my
chasing around, most of them teenagers.
only sparring partner had been my Sensei. In the
In short, I was an awful, horrible bully. I had
late 1970s, he fought in our area's version of full
no idea that I was. I'd assumed, improperly, that
contact knockdown tournaments, and he had
this was the way Kyokushin was always
taught me to be a very aggressive fighter. He
supposed to be. I threw in dirty tricks, I faked
mostly trained me with an eye for me keeping
them out, and I ran them over.
myself safe, as I live in a town that is infamous
What did I learn? Not a whole lot.
for it's high crime rates. "Run your opponent
What did I teach? I taught them that I could
over. You have no power when you are throwing
be a bully.
strikes while backing up. If you are attacked,
I hadn't yet realized, you see, that the
don't get fancy, use what is EFFECTIVE. Take
purpose of kumite in class is not to "win." It's
them down fast and decisively so you can buy
not to destroy the morale of your classmates.
enough time to get yourself to safety. Hit them
It's to learn, and to help your opponent learn. It
hard enough so that even if you don't take them
is certainly also to figure out what is effective,
out, they won't want to come after you any
and strikes should be thrown with the intention
more."
of really hitting... but those strikes should also
We sparred hard. I was a flailing newbie, of
be thrown with control. Energy should be met
course, but I gave him everything I had, and was
with an appropriate level of energy. The pace
peppered with bruises from his blocks and
and power should be set by BOTH people,
counters. I wore them like badges of honor.
generally by the lower rank, but not always.
When I, rarely, SOMEHOW, managed to get
Boundaries should be respected. Discomfort
through, or when he allowed me to get through,
and pain are normal for alive sparring. HARM,
and I left a tiny mark on him, he would tell me
however, should be something that students
that he was proud. That was the way we
must always make an effort NOT to cause.
practiced in those early days before ending up
When one of us is injured, all of us suffer the
at the dojo.
loss.
It didn't translate quite so well on the mat. After a hard work-out, full of push-ups, crunches, and kihon, the class formed two lines, facing one another. Higher ranks were on one
We lose, for a time, a partner. One who we could have learned from, or helped to learn. We may even lose them forever. In time, I realized that there was something
side, lower ranks on the other. We were told to
that I must both give and earn in class, with all
bow to one another, get into fighting stance, and
of my fellow students and my instructors. That
then our Shihan roared "HAJIME!"
thing was RESPECT.
My first few opponents were kyu ranks. I ran them over. I'm a big girl, and apparently I make really crazy mean faces when I spar. Actually, my vision is not very good, and mostly I am squinting and screwing my face up trying to figure out where the other person is in relation to me. I look angry though. My level of aggression
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COVENANT OF TRUST (con’t) My first lesson in not being a bully, and in realizing that there is ALWAYS someone stronger, so mutual respect is a much better way to go, came in the form of the first shodan I sparred with. I charged at him, rabid honey badger style. He had, I imagine, seen me sparring with the kyu ranks. He did not back away. He did not run. He did not look the least bit intimidated. This registered vaguely on the edges of my consciousness, but I was committed to charging him. "I'll just try to run him over," I thought, not really noticing his eyebrow lift, and that serene, very slight smile that crept onto his face. My opponent, rather than panicking like my last sparring partner, calmly  gauged my distance and speed, and then the next thing I knew was the sensation of the ball of his foot knocking all of the wind out of my lungs. I think I said something terribly clever. Something along the lines of "oof." "Knocked the wind out of you, eh?" he said cheerfully. "Don't charge into my foot like that. And tighten up when someone is throwing a strike at you. Here, put your hands behind your head. Expand your rib cage. You breathing? Okay, continue." And thus, I tasted my first slice of handmade-at-the-dojo humble pie. I spend a lot of time with horses, and for years I learned about working with them from a man who was, at that time, my horsemanship mentor. He also happened to be a 4th dan Aikidoka. He was very wise, and he taught me so many things, about horses, life, and even martial arts, though he rarely mentioned them overtly. Aikidoka can be sneaky like that! One day we were talking about how to get along with a horse. He said to me, "Ev, a lot of people try to use coercion to control a horse. Control is an illusion though. What you really want is a partnership. Mutual respect. That's where the covenant of trust comes in." "What do you mean?" I asked him, brushing my horse's mane. "When you and the horse work together, you build an agreement. A covenant. You are making a promise. You are saying, 'I will take care of you, and you will take care of me. We can rely on each other. We do our best to keep each other safe. Because we have trust and
respect, we will each work to give the other
happen if pride prevents someone from letting
what they need, and at least some of what they
their partner know that something is not right.
want.' You see, your horse is putting his life in
Remember what I said about how all of us suffer
your hands. He is trusting you with his safety.
the loss when one of us is injured.
And at the same time, your life is in your horse's
It isn't just physical injury that one has to
hands. It would be very easy for him to kill you.
watch out for, either. Everyone has a pain
It would be very easy for each of you to harm
threshold, and if that threshold is crossed at the
the other. But you have this partnership, this
wrong time, it can lead to emotional harm. It can
agreement, this covenant of trust, that you will
lead to fear, to doubt, to flinching, to indecision,
help one another instead."
all of which can do harm in one's training. Being
As I make my way through life now, sadly
pushed well beyond one's emotional ability to
without him as an active part of it, he is still with
endure does not always toughen you. This has
me in a way. His words often come to me when I
it's time and it's place, and drills are often not
am troubled, and guide me. As I began to train, I
that time and place. Pushing your own personal
remembered that lesson again, and I realized- in
boundaries should always be done with care.
the dojo, there is also a covenant of trust. On
Crossing your partner's personal boundaries
the mat, my classmates are not truly my
without their consent is a violation of their trust.
opponents. They are my partners. My only real
Fear of looking bad, or not being "tough
opponent is myself. Well, that, and sometimes
enough," is also a failing of the ego. Hiding an
gravity. My journey is my own, and my
injury will accomplish nothing but maybe land
competition is my ego. My training partners are
you more time sitting out of class, waiting to
friends and family, and should be treated as
heal because you've ended up even more
such.
broken than you would have been had you only
The covenant of trust, an unspoken agreement, encompasses so many aspects of dojo life.
spoken up in the first place. Remember, you have nothing to prove to anyone but yourself.
With a training partner, there are two
When you adhere to the covenant of trust,
essential parts to this trust. First, your partner
you and your classmates will grow together. You
needs to be able to trust you to never
will help each other become stronger, together.
INTENTIONALLY do them harm. Accidents can
When you respect your partner and
and do happen. Crazy, freakish accidents.
communicate your needs, when you give useful
Sometimes even the best of intentions can lead
feedback and help one another grow instead of
to them. Sometimes, however, it is ego that
bully and try to "win," your own journey in living
leads to them. Pride. Trying to "win."
the martial way will be greatly enriched.
Overcompensating for a perceived shortcoming. Lack of focus, because things other than training are allowed to encroach on one's
You might spend a little less time with the wind knocked out of you as well. OSU!
thoughts. Carelessness. Lack of respect. Everyone is fallible, and even though we are all
Ev Lokadottr is a 32 year old woman
told to leave our egos at the door, they can
from the San Francisco bay area. She is a 6th
sometimes still creep in.
Kyu in Kyokushin Karate, a writer, and a
The other side to this trust is that you need
horsewoman. She hopes to someday fight in full
to be able to give feedback when you need to,
contact tournaments, and eventually become an
and set boundaries when you need to. Your
instructor.
partner needs to be able to trust you to do this. Again, ego can get in the way. Some people who are new to knockdown come with the impression that they must ALWAYS be tough and endure, no matter what. What they need to remember (I certainly did) is that it is a student's responsibility to keep themselves safe, as well as to BE safe with other students. This cannot
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OR NUDGE
3 TEACHING STRATEGIES: DO YOU DICTATE, WAIT AND SEE,
3 Teaching Strategies: Do You Dictate, Wait and See, or Nudge? Imagine the most boring class you had in high school or college. The teacher's droning probably made you itchy to escape the intellectual prison they called a classroom.
and philosophical beliefs will flavor everything you do in a unique way. Therefore it's wise to examine your own teaching methods and decide for yourself how you might best help your students. Consider the following three strategies for imparting a martial art:
DICTATE
Now imagine the best class you had in high school or college. The impact of that instructor
Being a full-on dictator is bad...but
has probably lasted well beyond your school
sometimes dictating is good! Dictating refers to
days.
the act of instructing students in a very specific
Teaching a martial art is a rare gift and
and structured manner. The teacher tells the
responsibility, one that has an amazing amount
student where to step, where to block, how to
of freedom. In the public education system there
balance, what degree angle to turn, etc etc.
are layers of governing boards and protocols to
Dictating is a powerful tool, especially in the
funnel what can be taught and how it can be
early phases of a young martial artist's career as
transmitted. In the martial arts world, the
he/she tries desperately to adjust to the rigors of
possibilities are much more varied.
training. The weakness of dictation is a lack of
Sure, most martial art organizations have
creativity. Students are so busy trying to fit into
criteria for what it takes to advance in
the structure of class while avoiding technical
ranking...but are there guidelines for how that
mistakes that they rarely engage in critical
knowledge should be transmitted? Unlikely.
thinking. Toying with technique, trial and error,
It's possible of course to try and perfectly mimic your instructor's style, but that's rarely
and big-picture contemplation is not on the todo checklist.
attainable (or even desirable). Personal experience, talent level, intellectual capacity,
[21]
Of course, giving specific advice has been around since one caveman taught another how to sharpen a stick; there's no question regarding
W&S also has the benefit of being able to transcend language barrier. The weakness of W&S lies in it's
"Sensei, what does this technique mean? I can't put it to any good use." "My student, what do you think it means?
the value of detail transmission. However,
roadblocks and time frame. If a student gets
modern teaching has taken dictation to a high
stuck and lacks understanding, they can find
extreme, resulting in formalized classes filled
themselves in 'learning quicksand'. Even if they
with one-way information and strict
do eventually struggle their way through a
regimentation. A lot of that can be attributed to
problem, it may have taken years longer than
Instructors must navigate the complicated
military influence.
was needed. A few pieces of wisdom from an
tapestry of tradition and ego. In some ways, it is
experienced instructor could have reframed
an instructor's duty to pass along a style exactly
countries and learned martial arts, they often
perspective and fixed a wayward path, but with
as it was handed to him/her (best done through
integrated the material they learned with the
W&S there can be a lack of active course
dictation). Meanwhile, the more students look
military methods they had been molded in. They
correction.
exactly like the instructor, the better pleased the
When military men first arrived in eastern
did so for purely practical reasons. The stakes
Another weakness of W&S is
Once you know that, you'll have your answer." This exchange sounds wise and zen-like, but it doesn't provide any nudging. The other difficulty is in structure.
instructor will be due to subtle ego (since I know
were/are very high in military and law
organizational. When an instructor allows
what I am doing, the students should look like
enforcement work. Following orders with
students to interpret the art for themselves, each
me!). Thus, nudging requires a careful relaxing of
precision saves lives while creating higher
student will naturally come to different
those rules in order to let students find their own
probability of success for an entire unit.
conclusions. When the senior instructor is not
path to higher effectiveness.
The west wasn't alone in their military
present, or has passed away, the result is
How does an instructor maintain the
intentions; eastern countries like Japan and
chaotic and often results in massive splintering
integrity of a tradition while helping students
even Okinawa began teaching martial arts in
among students.
explore their own path? That's the difficulty in
NUDGE
larger group settings for the purpose of crafting young men into resilient, obedient soldiers. Strong dictation was a natural evolution of teaching style.
WAIT AND SEE Perhaps the diametric opposite of dictating is the 'wait and see' approach. W&S involves
nudging.
A Proper Mixture
Nudging is perhaps a middle ground of the previous two methods and involves monitoring a
I don't believe any one of the methods
student's progress noninvasively, interjecting
above is superior to the others. In fact, I think
from time to time in order to enhance growth
most good instructors find a mixture of all three
and understanding.
with plenty of other tactics mixed in. A skilled
A nudge is not as concrete as dictation; if
instructor will observe what each individual
demonstrating technique, kata, etc while
the instructor fixes the angle of a student's
needs on a case-by-case, day-by-day basis. In
offering no breakdown or explanation. The
stance, that is a dictated correction. If on the
fact, teaching strategy can change in mid-class
instructor performs and the students must
other hand he/she asks the student why the
(or even mid-sentence).
watch and gather what they can. Discussion is
angle of a stance might be better increased or
not a big part of W&S.
decreased, that is a nudge toward
available as a teacher and use them to their
understanding.
highest effect. Knowing when to take the reigns
W&S has been the method of choice for centuries in many of the eastern koryu arts. Due
Nudging is a powerful tool, especially when
The key, I think, is to recognize the tools
and when to loosen them is critical in helping
to the influence of Confucianism, eastern
instructing higher level students. Advanced
students achieve that rare but essential goal of
philosophy enforces the idea of quiet obedience
martial artists can become stagnant and bored if
self actualization. Only then can a martial art
and attendance when being instructed. W&S
they only receive dictated training year after
start to grow into ikigai.
does not require the instructor to hold a
year. That is why challenging them to draw their
Written by:
student's hand through every detail.
own conclusions and guiding them to their own
Matthew Apsokardu is a student of
The strength of W&S lies in it's focus and range of possibilities. When learning in W&S
level of higher understanding is so essential. The problem with nudging is twofold:
style there is no spoon feeding of information,
difficulty and structure. Students can become
and going on mental 'cruise control' is a very
impatient and annoyed with a teacher who
quick way to fall behind and eventually wash
nudges all the time because they feel a simple
out. Furthermore, interpretation of what a
straight answer would be a quicker solution to
student sees an instructor do can be highly
their needs. Furthermore, teaching in a nudge
varied. Since there is no specific guidance, the
style can be extremely tricky. It's very easy to
student is left to his/her own experience and
fall into a 'false philosopher' mode where the
critical thinking in order to determine how to
instructor simply projects student's questions
achieve the same skill level as the instructor.
back onto them without providing any real insight. For example:
[22]
the martial arts for over 16 years and has acquired the rank of Yondan. He is also a writer and SEO specialist. He graduated from Penn State University with a BA in Professional Writing and a minor in Natural Science.
[23]
FIGHTING STRONG
FIGHTING STRONG: Kyokushin Fighting Strength Routine It is the time of year that fighters dream of high kicks and
or hire a personal trainer. Use just the empty barbell until you have
weight brackets. Fight season is upon us and it is the time to
the proper form.
really buckle down and work. No beer, no smoking, no ice cream for the next couple months as we train double sessions and get
For this strength program, you will need barbell, dumbbells,
fidgety on rest days. We relive the last sparring night, replaying in
weight plates, water and most importantly a note book. Write
the mind the good things and bad things, and how we need to
down all that you have done and how much weight you are lifting.
work the jab.
Write notes about how heavy or light the weights were or about how tired or not tired you got. Without a notebook you will not see
To a kyokushin bare-knuckle fight, there is no more a hated
how you are progressing, or remember what weight you should
word to hear than “hikiwake� at the end of a round. It means that
be using.
we are headed for an extension round. I don't want to leave it to Patricia Pittman is a mom, writer and martial artist from Maine
the corner judges to decide. I want every technique I throw to be
follow her blog at www.Kihonwasa.com
powerful and devastating with explosive impact. In order to achieve that power, I need strength. The fastest place to achieve 'strong', is in the weight room. Kyokushin karatekas, in general are not weight lifters, we are fighters. So it is very important that you get the proper form before starting any program. You can watch you tube videos and practice in front of a mirror, have a knowledgeable friend help you,
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Warm up: About 10 minutes is all you need. Try treadmill intervals, shadow boxing, jump rope intervals, really anything to start you sweat going.
Do your major lifts: There are four major lifts, squats, overhead press, bench press, and dead lifts all done with a barbell and a spotter. Try lifting twice a week. Mondays for bench press and squats, Thursdays for overhead press and deadlifts. If you want to lift 4 times a week, do one major lift per workout. You are going to do 3 sets. The first 2 sets, you are going to have 5 reps, on the last set go for as many as you can while keeping proper form. Take a 30 second to a 1 minute break between sets. If on the last set you can get to 10 reps, your weights are too light and next week add a little more weight. If you can not get to five, then your weights are too heavy, next week go lighter.
Finisher: A finisher is exactly what it sounds like, it finishes you off. High intensity exercise, and by high intensity, I mean close to seeing death. It is you last exercise of the workout so go all out, leave everything you got at the gym. Try 5 tuck jumps, sprint 20 seconds, 5 lateral jumps, sprint 20 seconds, 5 burpees, sprint 20 seconds, end with as many dead man burpees you can do. Oh yeah, no rest between exercises. Time it,write it down, and next week beat that time. You are done, took about 40 minutes. Don't over do it. 3 sets of your main lift, 3 sets of core, 35 sets of assistant, finish and go home. If it takes you more than an hour, you are doing way too much, or you are resting too much. Take some time to stretch for flexibility while your body is warm. Reward yourself with a good book and some protein. Try not to do anything strenuous for the next couple of hours so your body can start to knit together stronger muscles.
[25]
Courtesy of Marcel Melendez, Sensei Kyokushin of Puerto Rico
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SAVAGE DISCIPLINE
hospital food through a straw would be the next best thing.
For the traditionalist within the martial arts the main function is to have discipline and self
Many people view the fighting arts in
control at all times, in addition to perfecting all
various ways when it comes to the disciplined
say that the practice of the fighting arts is all
the various fighting techniques with a degree of
fighting methods of the traditionalist and the
about self-discipline and having a practical
accuracy, to even the point of precision. These
image that is often portrayed as the 'savage
range of fighting methods available against
traditional schools of combat will also instal the
brutality' of some of the combat sports and
someone attacking them in the street through
discipline of 'self defense only' which means of
training methods from around the world. This
well practiced techniques that are powerful and
course that the fighting techniques should never
variation in the way people think of the fighting
technically correct. For this kind of martial artist
be used unless attacked, and even then, a
arts creates much debate within the martial arts
having a wide range of response methods
certain degree of restraint must be used when
community to the point of strong division
against attack is the main focus of their efforts
striking back against someone wishing to inflict
between students and teachers and within the
and that watching two people beat each other
harm upon them.
many various organizations that promote their
senseless on the ground is simply not what true
way of doing things.
martial arts is all about.
All these things are of course fine
The traditional trained martial artist would
The main focus of division within the
characteristics of the true martial artist but when facing someone in the street who's main aim is
martial arts community centers around how
to inflict as much damage as possible, and by
effective the training methods are when it comes
the commonly termed cage fighting method of
any savage means, then these mental
to a street fight situation and also the quality
combat, (or Mixed Martial Arts as practitioners
disciplines that are embedded into the
and standard of those who wear the coveted
prefer to call it), is very safe compared to other
traditionalists mind can and often does become
black belt.
sporting activities and not just a simple case of
For those who regard themselves as having
mental restrictions that could put their lives at
There are those who will strongly say that
beating each other up. They would also argue
a 'realistic way of thinking' the only true way of
that the practice of 'Mixed Martial Arts' is a
learning effective and practical combat methods
discipline of the highest level that involves, and
what is technically correct or what is a good
is to fight full contact and take a beating to
puts to the test, a range of martial art styles and
level of restraint, that will be in the back of their
condition the body and mind and to use this
disciplines taken from various tried and tested
mind, will take away their full focus at defending
experience to lessen their fear of being harmed
combat systems. However when this form of
against the oncoming attack. In fact thinking
in a true street fight. For this type of fighter
combat shows two people beating each other
about being defensive even for only a second in
practicing anything less is a waste of time and
up on the ground to the point that the fighters
time will result in hesitation that could cost you
they would regard the traditionalist who only
are bleeding then this image enhances the
dear against someone who has no such moral
practices' fighting methods that are limited to
traditionalist's argument that it is no more than
or ethical distractions.
semi or even no contact as being just play-
mindless and brutal violence that has nothing to
acting at fighting. They would also view those
do with the practice of the martial arts.
great risk. Â During a street fight having to think about
The problem therefore is do you focus on effective fighting techniques that have been
who have trained in this fashion as having no
practiced repeatedly over a long period of time
true standard to back up the black belt that they
community view this conflict of fighting methods
and can be performed as a reflex action or do
wear
the fact remains that both methods are here to
you let go of your self control and let out the
Unfortunately there are many martial arts
Which ever way people in the martial arts
stay. Again I would say that striking a good
beast that is within all of us and fight with
clubs that boast a team of black belt instructors
balance between these two fighting methods is
savage brutality to ensure your survival? The
even though they have never been in a true
the best way forward. Maybe in years to come a
ideal situation of course would be to strike a
street fight or trained beyond practicing fighting
practical system of combat that truly blends
balance between both savage brutality and
techniques in a set prearranged way and never
both elements will be developed that all martial
controlled fighting techniques, but to do this,
putting their skills to the test by, at the very
art practitioners will agree upon and maybe it
you would have to go beyond just aggressive
least, sparring with other students in a free
should be called the art of 'Savage Discipline'
discipline and into a mind-set that takes on a life
fighting way. To balance this view however it
but of course human nature like it is that will
of its own.
should be noted that for the regular guy in the
never happen.
The only true way to test your balance
street who needs to go to work everyday and
between controlled aggression and savage
earn money for their family, the situation of
brutality of course is to be involved in a true 'to
being injured within a training session is not an
the death' street fight but if you were to fail such
option when it comes to having time away from
a test then maybe learning how to eat
work through injury and losing much needed money.
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CONTINUE ON PAGE
SAVAGE DISCIPLINE (con’t)
For those who say they need to be realistic and constantly test themselves and the fighting techniques
The other thing to consider also is should some
that they have been taught then maybe the best way
fighting methods like boxing, for example, be called a
forward is to join the armed forces and truly test
martial art or a combat sport? Standard western/
themselves in battle and fight not only for real but also for
European boxing is a perfect example as although no
a worthy or practical cause.
kicks are involved just like Judo and Aikido, which everyone regards as a martial art, many would not think of boxing as a form of martial art in just the same way as 'show style wrestling' even though they are both a form of combat. All these things however often comes down to the individual and how they see the practice of the martial arts.
The true warrior is someone who is prepared to face sudden death as the bullet's go flying past their heads and have the true courage to watch their fellow fighters get blow apart and fall at their feet with their head and body parts no longer attached to each other. These types of individuals are also the very same people who do not need a grand martial art title or more black belts than you
How often do we hear someone say that they have just come back from a good and fun training session with a group of mates and that they enjoyed their practice time, regardless of the style or nature of combat training in question? And yet they still claim to be learning a 'serious'
could shake a stick at, and would regard those who boast of their martial art skills and countless bits of paper, (certificates), as just foolish people who have more ego and vanity than warrior spirit.
rather than fun form of self defense.
Article written by Dave J. Lomas (aka Dragonwriter) 7th Degree Black Belt with 39 years experience. Started martial art studies in 1973. Founder, chief instructor and chief grade examiner of the original Dragon Martial Arts School in 1979
Courtesy of Marcel Melendez,Sensei Kyokushin of Puerto Rico
[30]
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belt under Sosai Mas Oyama and as one of the masters most
continued to seek knowledge in my search of the ultimate truth. I have
accomplished students, was sent to
been blessed by my association with
Kyokushin! When I first heard that word, my instinct was to say, “Bless
the United States to spread Kyokushin. Shigeru Oyama was sent
these great masters and by having an inquisitive mind. Also, I twice had the
you.” Then, I found out that Kyokushin
to NY and opened a Kyokushinkai dojo immediately. One of his very first
chance to train and even teach in Japan. The result is combined with my
students was a Goju-ryu Black Belt
degree in Physical Education to
WHAT IS KYOKUSHIN?
means, “in search of the ultimate truth." I think that epitomizes what all
martial artists do in training. We search named Tony Zeno. That’s where I for the truth within us, to reach our come in. I was one of Shihan Zeno’s
produce an in-depth, scientific, yet traditional approach to martial arts
limits, then exceed them to reveal the
very first students. I think I see a ultimate truth…the person we CAN be. pattern here. The true martial artist is pushing his or For me, Kyokushin has been the
training.Kyokushin is a relatively young style of karate, having been founded in
her own personal envelope, in an ongoing attempt to gain mastery over
transformation of a shy, skinny kid into a confident man comfortable in
traditional karate. Sosai Mas Oyama was greatly influenced by Goju-ryu
their bodies and minds. Because, as
addressing large crowds. I began my “search” in 1973 in upstate NY and
legend “Catman” Yamaguchi and the “Founder of Modern Karate” Ginchin
never looked back. I got my Black Belt
Funakoshi.. In fact, Kyokushin is said
overcome himself.” In the United States, Kyokushinkai schools are rare,
in ‘78 and opened my first dojo in Culpepper, VA in 1982. Between
to be a combination of three styles; Kempo, Goju-ryu and Funakoshi’s
however worldwide Kyokushinkai
1984-94 several of our students and myself were consistently ranked in the
Shotokan system. It’s traditional roots are also reflected in the formalized
former P.K.L.(Professional Karate
structure of Kyokushin classes and the
the founder of Kyokushinkai, Mas Oyama says, “To win, a man must first
boasts millions of students. Masutatsu Oyama is world renowned as one of
1953. Yet, it’s roots extend deep into
the most accomplished karate masters League) and N.A.S.K.A.(North in history. He was known as “God American Sport Karate Assoc.) We
spirit in the dojo. Despite Kyokushin’s traditional
Hand” because of his amazing feats of
also won the Virginia Battle of the Dojo’s three consecutive years. I’ve
roots, it can still lay claim as the forerunner to modern full-contact,
been fortunate to train with prominent
mma style competitions. Sosai Oyama
the ultimate truth by living in the mountains for 18 months, dedicating
Kyokushin masters including aforementioned Shigeru Oyama and
developed the perfect vehicle to transition from traditional karate to
himself to rigorous training. Then he
Tony Zeno. I’ve also trained with Bobby Lowe, John Farrell, Don Allen
modern karate and he named that vehicle, “Search for the Ultimate
and Randolph James, all Kyokushin
Truth”. So, regardless which style of
Kumite”, in which the karateka fights 100 Black Belts consecutively.
legends. Additionally, I’ve trained and learned from several non-Kyokushin
martial art you study, you too will search for your ultimate truth, so you
Kyokushinkai is known for it’s full-
sources. I learned weapons from Karl Hovey, Isshin-ryu. I learned jui-jitsu
too will be Kyokushin. Osu!
strength, including killing a bull with one punch. He searched himself for
tested his truth by creating and being the first to accomplish the “100 Man
contact fighting. In fact, PRIDE, K-1, Sabaki, Enshin and many other full-
from Ron Cherry. I also studied with
contact competitions are off shoots of the World Championships sponsored
Bill Hayes, Shorin-ryu. I’ve increased my knowledge by attending numerous
by Kyokushinkai in the early 70’s.
seminars by greats such as; Garry Holman, George Dillman, Wally Jay,
Among Mas Oyama’s first students was Shigeru Oyama. (no relation) Shigeru became a 7th degree Black
Dan Severn, Joe Lewis and Bill Wallace. Throughout my 37 years I
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What goes through the mind of a Champion? How do they prepare? What drives someone to become number one? Richard Trammell was driven to be faster, stronger, and smarter. He wanted to win! Read his book and find how YOU can become a champion!
www.amazon.com
The last uchi deshi (live-in student) of Sosai Oyama Masutatsu, Nicholas Pettas, takes you along on his adventure as an eager, 18-year-old boy going from Copenhagen, Denmark to the other side of the globe. Here, in Tokyo, Japan, he doesn't just find himself in another country, but in a different world altogether. The rigorous life of an uchi deshi is filled with drama and the struggle to survive. Even more so for a Western uchi deshi, thrown into an environment where everything is different – the food, the language, the life-style and, above all, the karate. Literally having to fight for his survival on a daily basis, Nicholas turns to his inner self to search for the strength needed to fulfil his dream of completing the daunting 1000-day karate course. Becoming a true lion in the art and sport of karate, and the last non-Japanese to complete Master Oyama's course, today, author Nicholas Pettas is known in Japan as “The Blue-eyed Samurai�, an acknowledgment of his true Samurai Spirit.
www.karateodyssey.com
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WWW.TryTYKU.COM [37]