Issue # 12, March 2013
Wel c o m e Welcome to our 12th issue of Zanshin. I hope you had a safe and enjoyable Carnival. For me, February was a historic month for the TKA as we held our first local Camp. Karatekas of all ages and ranks were able to receive specialized instruction, from Sensei Cameron King 6th Dan from Barbados on various aspects of Karate.
seek perfection of character
be faithful
endeavour
respect others
refrain from violent behaviour
Our National Tournament was also a success and I take this opportunity to thank everyone who assisted. For many persons, especially our junior ranks, the tournament was an opportunity to showcase their martial art skills and gain the confidence necessary when participating in such a sport. The National Tournament will also be used to identify talented persons with the potential to take part in international tournaments. This Edition contains memories of this historic event so please read and enjoy. I want to take this opportunity to wish all SEA students the best of luck in the upcoming exams. Remember to apply the Dojo Kun in your daily routine as you prepare for SEA. Be Faithful to your studies; Endeavour and do your best in whatever you set out to do; Respect your teachers and Refrain from personal violence at home and at school. And last but not least, I send Easter greetings to all Karatekas. I urge you to use this season as one of reflection and renewal, especially those candidates who are preparing for Dan exams in April. As we as the TKA body prepare to mark our first milestone of this newsletter, please remember to support your association by submitting articles, comments and constructive criticism to Sempai Simone via email: kimoy2004@yahoo.com. Regards Shihan Wesley Dexter Shim Chairman & Chief Instructor TKA (IKD)
Head Table with Senior Tournament Judges at the 2013 TKA Tournament, February 24th
Inside The Art of Bunkai 2013 TKA National Tournament 2013 Calendar Karateka Profile Update – the K is on the Way Memories of Past Grading Karateka Achievers Training Schedule
The Art of Bunkai Bunkai, a Japanese word, literally means "analysis" or "disassembly", and refers to the application of fighting techniques extracted from the moves of a form or Kata. Bunkai is usually performed with a partner, or a group of partners which executes predefined attacks, where the student performing the Kata responds with defenses, counterattacks, or other actions based on a part of the Kata. This allows the student in the middle to understand what the movements in kata are meant to accomplish. It may also illustrate how to improve technique by adjusting distancing and timing, and adapting techniques depending on the size of an opponent. A single Kata may be broken into anywhere from a few to a few dozen applications, and the same sequence of Kata moves may sometimes be interpreted in different ways resulting in several Bunkai. Once understood, a specific Bunkai allows the Karateka to perform the relevant Kata much more convincingly, with greater, power, speed and Kime as he or she has an individual understanding of each technique that is being performed. I myself can testify to that as it was only after four years of Karate and being “forced” to learn Nidan Bunkai (by being the defender or person performing the Kata) and perform it in front of examiners, when attempting my Nidan grading did I fully appreciate the importance of Bunkai. After having embraced it, I actually enjoyed doing Nidan Kata. I will add here though, that within the four years I had been doing that particular Bunkai as part of normal dojo training but because of my mental block I never internalized it or really learnt it. So now, a far cry from someone who would inwardly and outwardly groan and feel a sense of dread, no panic, when Shihan said “we will be doing Bunkai” now. Previously to me, despite several sessions, Bunkai remained the most difficult aspect of dojo training. While I had an academic understanding of the concept, I equated practical application with rocket science.
Here I am attempting Nidan Bunkai with Marc and Marcus
Today I can sincerely thank the Shihans in the IKD for making Bunkai compulsory for Dan exams. It forced me to overcome my fears and embrace the training. So all of you Karatekas who now feel that sense of dread that I felt, take my word of advice, do not wait until you are doing Dan exams to embrace Bunkai. Have an open mind, embrace it, take advantage of all the training opportunities and most of all enjoy it. Bunkai is here to stay! Simone Thorne-Mora
Zanshin 2
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
2013 TKA Camp and Tournament The TKA Camp and National Tournament were held from February 21st to 24th 2013 at JFK Auditorium, UWI, St. Augustine. CAMP -Shing-iita - Body and Mind as One The TKA Camp was extended from Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd February, 2013. The Instructor was Sensei Cameron. There was training in several aspects of dojo training, viz: Kihon, Kata, Kumite and Bunkai. TOURNAMENT, Sunday February 24th Over fifty (50) persons of all ranks from many of the dojos participated. The event was successfully coordinated by Simone Thorne Mora with assistance from the following parents: • Phillip Colthrust and Ronald Boynes who donated pizza; • Rose Lue Shue who donated Brownies; • Jennifer Chow Quan and family who donated hot dogs and muffins;
• Jennifer Chow Quan and family who ran the snack and drink bar; • Mr. and Mrs. Lue Shue who assisted in registration; • Christelin Norman who assisted with time-keeping; • Alex Norman and Lawrence Mollentheil who assisted in scoring; • Mrs. Thomas, who collected gate receipts. Thanks also to the National Gas Company Ltd. who sponsored the medals, the senior black belts who officiated as judges and referees, persons who transported the mats and all the participants. Thanks to all others who volunteered their services in all other activities that made the event a success. Congratulations to all the successful participants. They showed a high level of sportsmanship and everyone did good performances.
Tournament: Warming up
Zanshin 3
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
The Peewee Boys . . .
Zanshin 4
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Boys to Men
Taekwondo Guys fought hard
Zanshin 5
Male Enbu team
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
To Marcus John from
Karateka Achievers
UWSKC for winning a UWI Development & Endowment Fund award for academic excellence during the period 2012\2012.
Marcus was one of 160 students who received this award.
To Matthew Benjamin from Cambridge University who
together with two other persons beat Oxford University in the annual Karate tournament between both universities. According to Matthew “the men’s team, comprising President Matthew Benjamin, Men’s Captain Jerome Singh and Quang Ha, pulled off a near-perfectly coordinated Enpi.” Matthew also defeated Oxford’s Captain in Kumite.
Matthew performing at Inter-University competition Zanshin 6
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
2013 Calendar Month February March
Date 21st – 23rd 24th 21st -24th 7th
April May June
July
August
September
16th - 21st 13th - 18th 14th -17th 20th – 26th 4th 5th -7th 10th - 15th 05th - 06th 7th 26th - 31st 6th -8th 11th -13th
October
November
12th 12th 2nd 21st
Event TKA National Camp with Sensei Cameron King TKA National Tournament CKC Jamaica Coaches Course and Grading 3rd- TTKU Nationals Grading. Chief Examiner: Shihan Woon-A-Tai CCCK Tournament Central American and Caribbean Championship Pan-Am Seniors PKF Seniors Championship IKD International Camp, IKD Quebec Annual Camp Grading IKD Jamaica Camp IKD/CKC Camp and Tournament Taekajudo -Junior Codrington OSKK - Cuthbert Hicks PKF Junior - Cadet Championship TKA Instructor Camp and Retreat Pan-Am Juniors TKA Annual training Camp TTKU Invitational TKA Awards Dinner Shuko-Kai International T&T Pan Am Central American Championship Curacao Open Grading
Place & Time JFK, UWI UWI Jamaica Maloney Indoor Arena UWI, from 2 pm Details to be announced Nicaragua Buenos Aires Toronto, Canada Quebec, Canada To be announced Jamaica Barbados To be announced Tacarigua Indoor Arena Colombia Tobago To be announced To be announced Tacarigua Indoor Arena UWI Archie Leiba Curacao To be announced
Memoires of Past Grading - November 2010 Woodbrook Youth Centre
Marc Julian (left)
Marcus as Green Belt
Zanshin 7
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Memoires of Past Grading - March 2011 Chinese Association
UWI Posse
Zanshin 8
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Profiles:
Name: Cameron King
Karate Dojo: I don’t have a Dojo per se. I train at Barbados Shotokan Karate Club, Barbados. Karate Qualifications: B Class Judge, C Class Instructor, D Class Examiner Karate Achievements: World Kumite and Kata Champion Karate Goals: To become an effective instructor who can really assist students in getting better at Karate and in life. I want to be a mentor Mentor: in Kumite:- Master Tanaka; Other aspects:- Shihans Shim, Woon-A- Tai and Paul and Alice Bernstein Personal Philosophy: To be a better person; be the best at what I set out to be and to help other persons be what they want to be Likes: Sports in general. Best Memorable Moment: On my trip to Japan. Going to the land of the Rising Sun and seeing the masters training and performing Advice to Young Karatekas: It is the experience of training which helps you. Karate is a lifetime of training and it is not necessarily physical training. Put Karate in almost everything you do. Work on focus and discipline in Karate and all aspects of life. Memories of Past Grading – December 2011 Chinese Association
Brown belts with their parents being given a pep talk by Sensei before their Shodan exam
Zanshin 9
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Update>> Extract from an interview between: Jesse Enkamp (J), a self-entitled Karate Nerd™ and best-selling martial arts writer; & Mr. Antonio Espinós (AE)– president of the World Karate Federation (WKF). J (Jesse): First of all, Mr. Espinós, could you very quickly sum up the “KARATE 2020/The K is on the Way” campaign (for people who don’t know about it)? AE (Antonio Espinós): “Well, obviously, the “K” identifies Karate with one strong letter. This is simple and absolutely international. The “Way” is then intended as a symbol: Every way has a beginning (our strong roots and origins), a course (the hard work done by the whole Karate family to improve this unique, different and universal discipline) and a final destination: the Olympic Games Program.” J: So, how is the “KARATE 2020/The K is on the Way” campaign important for the average Karate practitioner? Will it not just benefit elite competitors and national teams? AE: “Well first of all, as we said before: Since this is a global campaign, there is therefore an opportunity to unite all our people and stakeholders worldwide. Second is the aim of the campaign: The potential benefits of being included in the Olympic Games Program are what make this campaign so important for the Karate world. Third is the opportunity to bring media exposure to a global leading sport. Karate is one of the most important disciplines in the World, with more than 100 million practitioners in total. It is different, unique and universal but remains quite unknown for many people! This campaign should let the World know what Karate really is: a global leading sport.” J: But practically speaking, how will the average Karate practitioner benefit if Karate actually becomes an Olympic Sport? AE: “It is safe to say that the material resources available for Karate development will increase significantly the day that Karate becomes a sport in the Program. Today, in the majority of the countries, and especially in underdeveloped countries, or countries under development, only Olympic sports can become institutionally funded. Thus, an Olympic Karate would use this additional funding to accelerate the social benefits derived from Karate practice.”
Zanshin 10
J: That is huge! Read more at: http://www.karatebyjesse.com/the-k-is-on-theway-an-exclusive-interview-with-the-president-of-wkf-karatescontroversial-road-to-the-olympics-2020-pt-2/
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Training Schedule Day
Time
Karate Humour
Rank - Belts
TORA- Chinese Association, St. Ann’s Directors: Senseis Nigel Forde and John George Tuesday Thursday
6.00 - 7.15pm
All Ages, All Ranks
7.15 – 8:15pm
Team training- brown and black belts
6.00 - 7.15pm
All Ages - All Ranks
7.15 – 8:15pm
Dan Training
UWI Shokotan CLUB, UWI, St. Augustine President- Sensei Dean Avril All ages - ranks -
Monday
6:00 - 7:30pm
SWAG Tuesday No Gi required!
6:00 - 7:30pm
Wednesday
6:00 - 7:30pm
Friday
6:00 - 7:00pm
Saturday
3:00 – 5/6:00pm
Sundays
10:00 – 12:00pm
Engineering Undercroft All ages - ranks Engineering Undercroft All ages - ranks SAC All ages - ranks SPEC All ages - ranks Engineering Undercroft Team Training brown and black belts
Real Spring DOJO, Valsayn Community Centre Dojo Directors: Senseis Theophilus Faustin and Gregory Placide Wednesday 7:00 - 8:30pm Adults and Juniors- All ranks Saturday
10:00 - 11:30am
Adults and Juniors- All ranks
Sunday
8:00 - 9:00am
Adults and Juniors- All ranks
Tobago- Scarborough Secondary School Dojo Director: Sensei Arthur Morris Tuesday 5:30 - 7:30pm Adults and Juniors- All ranks Thursday
5:30 - 7:30pm
Adults and Juniors- All ranks
Saturday
9:30 - 12 noon
Adults and Juniors- All ranks
KAIZEN - 1 Primco Drive, Glencoe Dojo Director: Sensei Marc Mollentheil Wednesday 3:30 - 5:00 pm Adults and Juniors- All ranks Friday
3:30 – 5:30 pm
Adults and Juniors- All ranks
MUSHIN - Ritmo del Rey Dance Studio, Long Circular Road Dojo Director: Sensei Earl Wilson Monday 6:00 – 7:00 pm Adults – All Ranks Wednesday
6:00 – 7:00 pm
Adults – All Ranks
Saturday
7:30 to 9:00am
Adults – All Ranks
Zanshin 11
You Might Be A Martial Artist If..... You trip, go into a roll and come up in a fighting stance in church. You answer your boss "Kiai". You put your hands together in a martial arts bow position (one hand open the other closed) after grace at the dinner table. You tie your bathrobe belt in a square knot. Then check to make sure the ends are exactly even. You accept change from the cashier using a perfect knife hand with the thumb carefully tucked in. When you're outside doing landscaping or gardening you "practice" with all the neat weapons. You look for a place to live based on the amount of practice space it provides. "GAK! NO! The left side of the bathrobe goes on top...." You use various strikes to turn lights off and on. You open and close doors with spinning kicks. You try to back-fist the correct floor button on the inside of the elevator, based on your memory of the button's location, before you get in far enough to see it. You notice you never stand with your arms crossed or your hands in your pockets. You find yourself practicing stances while standing in lines. You bow going into and out of the bathroom. You are introduced to someone and you bow
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
The ladies of the 2013 TKA Tournament
in the April ISSUE‌
A monthly newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association Editor-in-Chief: Simone Thorne-Mora Layout: Diana Francis Proof-reading: Sensei Richie Robertson Photos: Sean Powell and others
Full tournament results will be issued in the April issue of Zanshin. Also hear advice from Cameron King, straight from the heart, on how to be a champion. Enjoy your
Easter