Zanshin #34

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Newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)

Issue #34

JAN - Mar, 2018

REMEMBERING Sensei

Gregory Placide

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Table of Content Message

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What is TKA

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Training Schedule

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Memories Of Sensei Placide

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TKA National Tournament 2018

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Editor Graphic Artist\Layout Proofreader

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- Simone Thorne Mora - Sean Powell - Sensei Richard Robertson

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Issue #34 JAN-MAR, 2018

Welcome to our 34th Edition as we continue on the Way to Japan.

Happy New Year to One and All. I hope you all had a restful Christmas season and have entered the year ready to take up the challenge of intense training for 2018 as we prepare for the IKD World tournament which will be held in August under the auspices of the Barbados Karate Association.

Unfortunately, the TKA lost a committed and revered member in February- Sen. Gregory Placide. At such times I find it very important to pause our lives and take stock as to how well we have lived the values of brotherhood and gratitude of lives shared in the pursuit of excellence. Sen. Gregory was a long standing student, teammate, instructor and friend who cared deeply for his karate community, beside giving all that he had as an instructor, to the students whom he taught, he was a man with a big heart, not wealthy in terms of finances but a very wealthy man in terms of generosity of spirit.

I will always remember him for how he stood by his fellow karateka who lost his wife suddenly to cancer and needed all sorts of help to grieve and to pick up the pieces of his life to care for young family, at times like these Gregory was a rock, a safe harbor, where someone was able to find support and someone to hold on to for hope and light.

On behalf of the TKA I want to thank you all for all the sentiments expressed and prayers offered for Gregory and his family. It was greatly appreciated.

May he rest in peace.

This edition is dedicated to our departed Sensei Gregory Placide.

OSS!!!

Shihan Wesley Dexter Shim Chairman & Chief Instructor TKA(IKD)

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What is the TKA?

The Trinidad Karate Association or TKA is a non-profit organization which is currently one of the largest active organizations teaching traditional Japanese Shotokan karate in Trinidad and Tobago. Originally one club or dojo, the Association has grown with clubs and dojos established in different locations.

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Training Schedules Day

Time

TORA Chinese Association St. Ann’s - (Adults and Juniors) Tuesdays Thursday Saturdays

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Rank - Belts Directors: Shihan Frieda and Senseis Nigel Forde, John George Contact No: 680-5234

6.00 pm - 7.00 pm

Adults and Juniors - All ranks

7.00 pm - 9.00 pm

Brown and Black belts - (Shihan Shim)

6.00 pm - 7.00 pm

Adults and Juniors - All ranks

7.00 pm - 9:00 pm

Brown and black belts - (Shihan Shim)

7.00 am - 9.00 am

Instructor Training

UWI Shotokan Club UWI, St. Augustine (Adults only)

President - Sapphire Lewis Chief Instructor - Shiraz Mohammed | Contact No.- 750-2776

Monday Thursday Friday

UWI SPEC- All ranks UWI SPEC- All ranks UWI SPEC- All ranks

5.00 pm – 6:00 pm 5.00 pm – 6:00 pm 6.00 pm – 7:30 pm

Tobago Scarborough Secondary School

Director: Sensei Arthur Morris - Contact No: 781-7371

Tuesday

5.30 pm – 7:30 pm

Adults and Juniors - All Ranks

Thursday

5.30 pm – 7:30 pm

Adults and Juniors - All Ranks

Saturday

9.30 pm – 12.00 noon

Adults and Juniors - All Ranks

TOBAGO SHOTOKAN SPIRIT WARRIORS (TSSW) Signal Hill Comprehensive School

Directors: Sensei Leo Grant and Fiona Grant Contact No: 343-9814

Tuesdays

5:00 pm - 6:15 pm

Juniors 5-11 yrs; white to green belts

Thursday

6:20 pm - 7:30 pm

Juniors & Adults; Ages 12 & up; and blue to black belts

TKA SHOTOKAN KARATE ACADEMY (EMINENCE SPORT DEVELOPMENT COMPANY)

Dojo Director: Sempai Kelly Rechais - Contact No: 724-1168

Mondays and Wednesdays

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

All Ranks/Ages Arima West Government Primary School

Tuesday

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

La Horquetta North Primary

Thursday

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Arouca Anglican Primary

Thursday

3.15 pm - 5.00 pm

Saturday

10:00 am - 12 noon

All Ranks/Ages - Sangre Grande Government Primary School

SOCHIN KARATE DOJO 144 Belmont Circular Rd, Belmont

Dojo Director: Senseis Earl Wilson and Ronald Corlette Contact No: 678-6732, 772-8508

Wednesday

6.00 pm – 8:00 pm

All Ranks

Fridays

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

All Ranks

KURO OBI 10 El Dorado Road, Tunapuna Website: www.kuroobitt.com Wednesdays & Fridays

Directors: Sensei Tamara Joseph Contact No: 396-3229

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Beginners

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Intermediate

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Advance

Past Issues of ZANSHIN are available on the TTKA facebook group page. for greater details on the TKA and our local affiliate, the Trinidad and Tobago Karate Union(TTKU) and our international affiliate, the International Karate Daigaku(IKD).

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MEMORIES OF SENSEI PLACIDE

Eulogy for Gregory Placide KARATEKA Godan

Barbados

20 May, 1957 - 20 February, 2018 Delivered By Sen. Earl Wison At Sen. Gregory’s Funeral Monday 26th February, 2018

My name is Earl Wilson, from the Trinidad Karate Association. I extend condolences to Gregory’s wife, Cheryl-Ann, Children, grand children and friends from our Shuseki Shihan, Frank Woo-a-Tai, who is resident in Canada, our Shihan Dr Dexter Shim, and the members of our karate fraternity.

First Worl Sensei Gregory started Karate some 43 years ago with Senseis David and Brian Chin Leung, Harakure Dojo, at Presbyterian Hall, Mucurapo, St James. Sensei David is here today. The organisation was Trinidad Karate Association, which still exist. He and three (3) friends joined karate, John Rudder, who is here with us today, his cousin Arnold and friend Patrick Jones. Both John and Gregory continued in Karate.

Gregory received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1979 from Master Okazai.

When the Chin Leungs decided to part ways in 1986, he joined the Hospital Club at the church of Scotland on Charlotte Street and remained in the TKA under the instruction of Sensei Dexter Shim until the present time.

Gregory was a member since the late 70s of the Trinidad and Tobago National Team travelling to many countries to represent Trinidad and Tobago as a member of the Kumite/ Free Sparring Team. Gregory also represented Trinidad and Tobago through the Fire Services in karate at international Fire Fighters games and medaled there with other noteworthy karateka, like Edwin Perry in the eighties.

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13 s - Caribbean Championships 20

December 2015 Christmas Lime

ld Tournament in Canada 2012

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Barbados - Caribbean Champio

Centre 2016 At fund raiser- Woodbrook Youth

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Gregory and I bonded in Master Camp in 2011 in Canada when we both attended as Yondan (4th degree black Belts). We spoke about many things, older days of karate, life, his sons who he loved and the future of martial art in Trinidad and Tobago. He wished to open a dojo again. We both went on to become Godans (5th degree black Belt) in 2012.

A many time medalist, Gregory continued to compete in the Masters Division winning at international tournaments gold, silver and bronze medals for free sparring. He started the Santa Cruz club from which a number of Junior Champions emerged. He was at the current time a member of the International Karate Daigaku and the T&T Karate Association. He was an Instructor at Tora Karate Club. He is a qualified Instructor, Judge with the International Daigaku/College and he was a qualified judge with the World Karate Federation Local Association.

He was a natural fighter and would give you the smile when he caught you off guard with his kicks, particularly his reverse back kick. He was always composed on the mat in a sparring (KUMITE) match.

He was not an attacking fighter, but could wait on you to attack and score on the counter to your attack. If he didn’t score or you caught him, he would simply smile and shake his head and move on. This is the hallmark of a great fighter.

The last time we spoke was in January 2018 at our annual Association meeting and he mentioned that he knew that I started a new club and didn’t call him to help? I just replied, Ronald lives in Belmont and he is assisting me, but if I need help I will call you. This tells you the large heart Gregory had and was willing to help anyone teach and further the art of karate.

First World Tournament in Cana

da 2012

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TK

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ence Class 2013 Legal Affairs- Students of Self def

-a Tai at 2015 grading

KA Grading 2015 with Sen Woon

Our Dojo Kun (Motto) • SEEK PERFECTION OF CHARACTER Gregory was always cool and very rarely he got vex.

• BE FAITHFUL 43 years with one organisation, no one could ask for more, that is faithfulness • ENDEAVOUR He had a high work ethic in karate and was always trying to improve.

• RESPECT OTHERS He did this without fanfare • REFRAIN FROM VIOLENT BEHAVIOR I do not know of anytime he was the aggressor.

He will be greatly missed by this fraternity for his vast knowledge of the art of Karate-do especially in the area of free Fighting. His sons took up karate and reached 1st Kyu (Brown), Gregory’s hope was for them to continue in the art.

I encourage them today to do so, we at TKA will embrace and teach you.

In closing, Gregory, you have delivered your final gyaku-zuki (reverse punch) and your favorite kick (Ushiro-kekomi).

Rest in peace and the perpetual light of God shine on you. Amen, Oss 9

TKA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT 2018

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