Issue #5 September 2012
seek perfection of character
be faithful
endeavour
respect others
refrain from violent behaviour
Welcome Welcome to our 5th issue of Zanshin. Articles and comments can be sent to Simone via email: kimoy2004@yahoo.com. This issue focuses on the recently International Karate Daigaku (IKD) Summer Karate Camp held from July 3rd to 9, 2012 at Ryerson University Toronto, Canada. We have included photographs as well as essays and quotations from participants and the management team on their experiences, opinions and thoughts on the tournament. Enjoy! Regards
Shihan Wesley Dexter Shim Chairman & Chief Instructor TKA (IKD)
Inside TKA in the Press Results of the International Karate Daigaku (IKD) World Shoto Cup
The Trinidad Karate Association -TKAis a non-profit organization and currently one of the largest active organizations in Trinidad and Tobago teaching traditional Japanese Shotokan karate.
Feature – What is Karate-do 2012 Calendar Reflections Creative Writing – PeeWees express themselves
The symbol for the World Cup highlighted the phoenix rising from the fire, with the ashes representing a new beginning, a rebirth, a reawakening. As it rises, it pushes the IKD logo upward with its wings, signifying freedom.
Zanshin
1
Team members from UWI goofing around
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
TKA in the Press >> Trinidad and Tobago Karatekas Shine in Toronto The Trinidad Karate Association (TKA) recently did the country proud at the recently concluded International Karate Daigaku (IKD) World Shoto Cup, held on July 8 and 9, 2012 at Ryerson University Toronto, Canada. Established in 1975 the TKA is a non-profit organization which is currently one of the largest active organizations teaching traditional Japanese Shotokan karate in Trinidad and Tobago. The current Chief Instructor is Shihan Wesley Dexter Shim 8th Dan. The IKD, established in 2011, is a new World Karate Organization, led by 9th Dan Black Belt Sensei Frank Woon-a-Tai, that is dedicated to the teachings of Masters Funakoshi and Nakayama, the pioneers of Shotokan Karate. The organization is engaged in furthering the art of Karate by studying its medical and scientific aspects and promoting its philosophy and benefits in physical education and fitness, self-defence and sports. Out of 19 teams and 285 competitors from countries such as the Canada, Philippines, Venezuela, Barbados, Jamaica and Guyana, the TKA won the most number of medals overall, with 21 gold, 26 silver and 29 bronze and placed third in the listing of teams earning the most gold medals. T&T was represented by 35 competitors along with Coach Frieda Shim and Judges John George and Earl Wilson. T&T competitors ranged from 8 years to fifty five years and every participant on the TKA team earned one or more medals, with Nicole Lambie winning the most medals, earning five gold in individual Kata and Kumite, and team Kata, Bunkai and Embu events. Two of the youngest members of the team, Dominic Lue Fatt and Michelle Lue Fatt, also placed first in Kata and Kumite respectively in the age group 8 to 9 years. Among the teenagers, Jesse Gonzales was outstanding winning gold, two silver and a bronze. Our men’s Kumite team of Dean Avril, Thaudeus Tempro and Daniel Shim won bronze in an exciting third place fight off against the team from the Philippines. The female and male Embu teams left spectators awe-struck with a sensational performance to earn them both the gold medal in the event and a command demonstration performance at the finals of the tournament. Speaking about the overall performance of the Trinidad and Tobago team, Shihan Shim remarked “The TKA performance showed that we now have Karate thinkers not just Karate doers. We now have a group who can contribute something to their performance; this was especially evident in the team Embu and Bunkai events.” Other teams at the competition were so impressed with the performance of the TKA team that requests have been made for Shihan Shim to conduct karate camps with them and some have asked to come and train with the TKA. The next IKD World Cup will be held in Venezuela in 2015.
Zanshin
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Results
of the International Karate Daigaku Karate (IKD) World Shoto Cup held on July 8 and 9, 2012 at Ryerson University Toronto, Canada Results By Country
Country
Gold
Silver
Bronze (% of Bronze)
Total Medals
% Total Medals
(% of Gold)
(% of Silver)
Canada- Ontario
33 (26.0)
Guyana Karate College
23 (18.1)
17 (13.8)
14 (11.7)
64
17.3
5 (4.1)
17 (14.2)
45
12.2
Trinidad and Tobago Barbados
21 (16.5) 16 (12.6)
26 (21.1) 12 (9.8)
29 (24.2) 10 (8.3)
76 38
20.5 10.3
Canada-Quebec
14 (11.0)
31 (25.2)
28 (23.3)
73
19.7
Guyana Association Shotokan Karate Canada- Manitoba
12 (9.4)
16 (13.0)
11 (9.2)
39
10.5
3 (2.4)
8 (6.5)
3 (2.5)
14
3.8
Jamaica
2 (1.6)
0 (0)
1 (0.8)
3
0.8
Canada -Saskatchewan
1 (0.8)
0 (0)
4 (3.3)
5
1.4
Philippines
1(0.8)
7 (5.7)
2 (1.7)
10
2.7
Venezuela
1 (0.8)
1 (0.8)
1 (0.8)
3
0.8
Bahamas
0
0
0
0
0
Canada-Alberta
0
0
0
0
0
England
0
0
0
0
0
Grenada
0
0
0
0
0
Puerto Rico Saint Lucia
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
St Vincent & Grenadines
0
0
0
0
0
United States Total
0
0
0
0
0
127
123
120
370
100
Source: IKD Website Percentage Analysis- Simone Thorne Mora For full results you can visit the International Karate Daigaku(IKD) Website
Judges in their new Haori uniform
Zanshin
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Team Trinidad’s Winning Events and Winning Team Members Team Members
Event 1st Place Winners Male Youth 8-13 Team Enbu (Group A)
Male Youth 8-9 Individual Kata Male Youth 14-15 Individual Kumite Male Adult 20-39 Team Enbu
Female Youth 8-9 Individual Kumite Female Adult 20-39 Team Kata
results
Female Adult 20-39 Team Enbu
Female Adult 20-39 Team Kata Bunkai
Female Adult 20-39 Individual Kumite Female Masters 40-49 Individual Kata
Anthony Thomas, Peter Ahloy, John Ahloy Dominic Lue Fatt Jesse Gonsalves Alain Anthony Tang Choon, Marc Anthony Phillip, Marcus John Michelle Lue Fatt Nicole Lambie, Tamara D.J. Joseph, Nataki Hypolite Nicole Lambie, Tamara D.J. Joseph, Nataki Hypolite Nicole Lambie, Tamara D.J. Joseph, Nataki Hypolite Nicole Lambie Nicole Lambie
Juniors’ Team
Zanshin
4
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
results
Team Trinidad’s Winning Events and Winning Team Members Event Team Members 2nd Place Winners Female Youth 8-13 Team Enbu Safiya Doyle, Rochelle Lue Fatt, Michelle Lue Fatt Female Youth 8-13 Team Kata Bunkai Safiya Doyle, Rochelle Lue Fatt, Michelle Lue Fatt Female Youth 8-13 Team Kata Safiya Doyle, Rochelle Lue Fatt, Michelle Lue Fatt Female Youth 8-9 Individual Kumite Rochelle Lue Fatt Female Adult 20-39 Individual Kata Nataki Hypolite Male Youth 8-13 Team Kata Bunkai – Group B Denzel Lawrence, Ethan Forde, Dominic Lue Fatt Male Youth 10-11 Individual Kata Peter Ahloy Male Youth 8-9 Individual Kumite Dominic Lue Fatt Male Teen 14-19 Team Enbu Jesse Gonsalves, Adrian Moreno, Andrew Beedy Male Masters 40-59 Team Enbu Nigel Forde, Ian L.C. Benjamin, Gregory Placide Male Masters 40-59 Team Kata Bunkai Nigel Forde, Ian L.C. Benjamin, Gregory Placide Female Masters 50-59 Individual Kata Christeline Norman
Male Youth Team
Zanshin
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
results
Team Trinidad’s Winning Events and Winning Team Members Event Team Members 3rd Place Winners Female Youth 8-9 Individual Kata Rochelle Lue Fatt Female Youth 10-11 Individual Kata Safiya Doyle Male Youth 8-13 Team Kata – Group A Isaac Cozier, Devin Norman, Isaiah Colthrust Male Youth 10-11 Individual Kumite Ethan Forde Male Youth 14-15 Individual Kata Jesse Gonsalves Male Teen 14-19 Team Kata Jesse Gonsalves, Adrian Moreno, Andrew Beedy Male Teen 14-19 Team Kata Bunkai Jesse Gonsalves, Adrian Moreno, Andrew Beedy Female Adult 20-39 Individual Kata Tamara D.J. Joseph Female Adult 20-39 Individual Kumite Nataki Hypolite Female Adult 20-39 Team Kumite Nikita Fenty, Nataki Hypolite, Kathryn Ann Pyke Male Adult 20-39 Team Kumite Thaddeus Tempro, Dean Avril, Daniel Shim Female Masters 40-59 Team Kata Bunkai Simone Thorne-Mora Quinones, Christeline Norman, Maria Thorne Female Masters 40-59 Team Kata Simone Thorne-Mora Quinones, Christeline Norman, Maria Thorne
Women’s Team
Zanshin
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Feature >> What is karate-do? Karate-do is not necessarily agility and great performances. It is when you come out to train even when it is hard to come out and even if your stance is not great and you can’t do a split. If it was, many of us would not be in it. The dojo is about training, about experiences and about building each other up. It is about walking a tough road and life and becoming still even in the face of obstacles.
It is nice to be a champion but for those who have not been champions you still have a part to play in karate.
There are a lot of people who are barely able to just do right and yet they are Karatekas who come every week. Sometimes one wonders whether they will ever reach but they continue to come and that is courage. So while being genetically dispensed and agility are wonderful gifts God has given us, and that is what they are gifts, Karate-do is sticking there after everything has finished; after people have gone home and you keep drilling and drilling in a dark space while wondering if you have anything left to perform but you still keep coming. There a lot of people who go through a lot of personal pain in their life, sickness, death, and you would never know but they come regardless and they are part of who we are. So it not only the sport and we must remember that, especially if you are very skilled. There are a lot of excellent Karatekas in our dojo just because they come in spite of how they feel.
To instructors, please be reminded that as we are on top there are other instructors who drilled and drilled their people but for different reasons they did not do so well. Some students they could not even bring but they came and are still excellent instructors. Do not leave people in the wake as you take off because if you just want to take off with the champions who won in the Tournament; that is not Karate-do. The persons who experienced personal pain are also champions in their own right. So even if they can’t do a lot of stuff but they come and train, they too are excellent Karatekas. Always remember that. Those of you with the gifts, gifts are to share and you have to bring those “below” you to their fullest potential without making them feel bad. Sometimes they may not want your help so just train along- side them. Sometimes you just have to bring your spirit to the dojo to help somebody get through their training. So be there not only for yourself but for everybody else. That is very important especially when you are on top. So in conclusion, we must differentiate between sport Karate and Karate-do; it is nice to win medals but do not become swell-headed. Remember the true practice of Karate-do. Karatedo is not necessarily agility and great performances. Derived from the thoughts and words of Sensei Frieda Shim on the aftermath of the recently concluded IKD Shoto Camp and Inaugural International Cup held from July 3 to July 8, 2012, at the Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
Zanshin
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
>>2012 Calendar Month
Day
Event Details
August
Place
Tora, UWI, Realspring Dojos closed
August
tba
Pan American Junior Championships
October Note the date changes
Saturday 20th
OSSK Tornament TKA Awards Dinner:
November
Time
Saturday 21st
Camp with Senseis Paul and Alice Bernstein from Barbados Grading
Mexico
Details to be announced later Details to be announced later
Camp Attendees
Camp Attendees
Zanshin
Team Guyana
8
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Reflections >> The first thing that I noted was that our programme over the last three years is beginning to pay off. The training of our senior people to become Instructors and into what I call Karate thinkers rather than just Karate doers is beginning to show. What I think was one of the big differences between the TT and the other teams, was that the TT team had more than one Karate thinker in the group. There were few groups which had more than one Karate thinker and that was very evident in the performance. We now have a group of people who think Karate and understand how to research it; how to contribute something of themselves into the Karate. It is not only Dr. Shim’s Karate here- it is more of the group’s Karate. This was evident in the Bunkai and Enbu. We had a variety of techniques- some wonderful, some questionable and some really great but at the end of the day, it created a wonderful ownership of your Karate and for me I want to congratulate everyone on that particular aspect of your performance at the tournament. The second thing I think made a huge difference was the team training over the last three involving foot and hand speed training; this will continue over the next three years. It (hand and foot speed) is now about 70% to where I want it to be. I think that the other teams are about 45% of where they should be. In terms of speed development while we still have a way to go but we have come a long way. We all have form but speed is one of the things that showed up from our training. The third thing we have to improve is our tactics and strategies. We have begun exploring this aspect but we are only about 50% where we ought to be and have another 50% to improve on. By the next tournament I hope to raise this to about 70% and for speed to go up to 90%. The stillness and centering was satisfactory. The women’s team has that to about 90%; they have that feel for it. The general team apart from ladies team is about 60% so we also have to improve on stillness, centering and contrast. All in all the performance translated into 21 gold for Trinidad and Tobago but I hope to see improvement and we do not sit on this and see it as the epitome of success. You all have the ability to do better and can improve 40 to 50% from where you are. It was a pleasure to sit and watch you all on the mat. I saw how you all have really grown and was very pleased. Thank you very much.
Shihan Dexter Shim
Zanshin
9
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Barring the first Pan-American Championships where everyone got gold I think this was the best team I have worked with. The guys set the pace with Embu and blasted on the scene in the morning. It was a blaze of glory. I have never seen people perform so well. The little people were unbelievable. They nailed every counter. I have never seen juniors performing semi free -sparring so well. It was amazing. They showed immense courage and maybe because was their first tournament, they had fierce competition as a lot of people have come onto the scene, big giant person I couldn’t believe was 13 yrs. They fought for their points. I loved how they tried. They took a lot of “ball –up”, “buff”, “pounding” and quarrel before the tournament. But they exploded on the field. Everyone was looking at them with amazement. And the twins, they are really small people in a big world. Tall legs are all they see when walking about. There was this big girl with gloves the size of Europe looking at one of the twins. I was sure she (the bigger girl) was going to pound her. But all you saw was this little fist as she rushed her. It was Trinidad at its best. We are still talking about the performance. I was absolutely proud to be associated with the little ones. And the adults- they were divine. The Embu team was the talk of the grocery. People were saying “Did you see those guys from Trinidad?”
Sensei Frieda Shim
Of all the other tournaments that I have attended this tournament had a higher degree of good judging than the rest.
Sensei Deane in
You saw it in the afternoon when they were tired. You know they we retired. It was definitely a higher level and more consistent judging. On the performance side, it was good to see that people listened to what Sensei said during training and they applied it.
action in Kumite
Sensei Nigel Forde
Zanshin
10
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
What I felt was outstanding was that there was a sense of calm that ran throughout the performances. I think the tone was set with the Enbu performances. I think we started strong and ended strong in the ways the Kata was performed. We captured stillness all the time. I could actually see it. What struck me was a contrast with some of the other teams where there we saw a qualitative difference and we knew the outcomes even before the results were announced. Even some of the younger ones who were participating at this level for the very first time, they kept their heads on and even where errors were made they gave of their very best and did it with a cool, measured exterior. Anybody who had the good fortune to see Jesse go through his rounds, his virtual destruction of his opponents was a sight to behold.
Sensei Ian Benjamin
Sensei Benjamin (2nd from left) with some members of the Senior team and Judges George and Earl Wilson
It was an excellent experience! I was proud of the entire team and their accomplishments. The team was able to gain knowledge by seeing the Senseis and competitors from other countries. Rhonda Thomas (Parent\Volunteer)
Zanshin
11
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Creative Writing! Peewees express themselves!
My Experience in Canada The flight was very long and tiring but when we arrived in Canada I was extremely excited. There were things that I never saw in our country before. My family and I took a trip to Niagara Falls and we stayed at Pitman Hal, Downtown Toronto at Ryerson University. My experience at the karate tournament in Canada 2012 was very exciting. I was very proud of myself because I got a medal for every event. I was also very proud of my team because everyone in our group did well. I was very disappointed in some parts of the tournament but it was all lots of fun. I felt scared at first because it was my first tournament abroad. I liked watching my team members become victorious in some events. At the end of the tournament Sensei Shim, told our team that we earned the most medals in the whole tournament. Unfortunately, however, a trophy was only given to the country with the most gold medals which was Ontario, Canada. We all left the hall joyful as ever because we knew we did well and in the next tournament we will do better. Safiya Doyle (10 yrs)
Zanshin
12
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Creative Writing! Peewees express themselves!
We went to Canada to attend our first Karate World Cup which was held at Ryerson University and got gold and silver medals. The plane trip was very long we got food and apple juice on it. We stayed at Pitman Hall and our family stayed in Room 731. We walked to the Mall to get lunch and dinner on some days. We also visited Niagara Falls by travelling on two trains and a bus. We had so much fun that we would like to go back some time. Michelle and Roshelle Lue Fatt (7 yrs)
I went to Canada to attend my second international tournament. In the 8 to 9 age group I got a gold medal in Kata and silver medals in free style Kumite and Team Bunkai. Befroe the tournament, I attended Camp in a big hall. We walked for dinner every day and had pizza, hot wings, burgers fries and Chinese food. On the plane ride back to Trinidad, I saw a movie. I think Trinidad and Tobago did well because we earned more medals than we did in Grenada in 2011. I felt excited that we came third in the number of gold medals. Dominic Lue Fatt (8 yrs)
From the tournament I have realized that there is a lot of competition and we have a lot more work to do. The guys from Quebec and Ontario were really good and we have to work even harder for the tournament in 2015. We were newcomers so we now know what we have to do for the next competition. Rayanne (13 yrs)
Zanshin
13
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Creative Writing! Peewees express themselves! First World Cup – Toronto, Canada 2012, here we come. My brother John and I had been looking forward to this event for the past year. All our months of training culminated with us gathering with our fellow Karatekas at Ryerson University. It was with great excitement we arrived at the airport and shuttled to our apartments. Sensei George, Isaiah, Andrew and I would become roommates for the next five days. John stayed with Sensei Ian, Anthony and Isaac. We all had a great time together. Most of the teams from the other countries came together on the Wednesday and Thursday to participate in a lecture and training in the morning and afternoon by Sensei Woon-a-Tai. We both felt quite honored to be instructed by the distinguished Sensei Woona-Tai. Our nervousness left us as we soon felt comfortable practicing in unison in a sea of white gis, save for the brown and black swishing of belts and loud, and powerful kiais. After training sessions, it was fun having our meals at the Eaton Centre. Luckily there was beautiful weather and while walking to the Centre, we noticed several street performers. There was this one performer that left the crowd in awe as he entertained them with his magic tricks. The Tournament was on Saturday and Sunday. The basketball court was transformed by the addition of mats on the floor and judges’ tables. The World Cup trophy sat amongst the many medals that were waiting to be won. It was with pride that I, John, led our group from Trinidad onto the court accompanied by Japanese music. Our club performed extremely well having placed third overall. Anthony, Peter and I won gold in Enbu – we did train hard for it. I was very proud of my brother, Peter, who won the silver medal in Individual Kata. Both Peter and I are very grateful for the opportunity of having gone to Canada to represent our country at a world tournament. We felt sad to leave, but have brought back with us the wonderful memories of International Karate Daigaku Shoto Camp and World Cup 2012. Peter and John Ahloy (12 yrs)
Zanshin
14
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Creative Writing! Peewees express themselves!
My experience for the karate tournament 2012 in Canada was very exciting but also disappointing because I was a little angry and sad that I was eliminated in the first round of most of my matches. But then again it was my first tournament and I have to learn from my mistakes and train harder. What was really exciting about the whole process of the tournament was the reality of going to Canada for the first time and training morning and evening, and being surrounded by a whole crowd of people from different countries. I particularly enjoyed meeting new people from other countries. The day of the tournament I felt nervous and excited but the excitement quickly went away when it was time for me to take part in the contest and I discovered the large number of girls that took part in my age group. I was also very nervous for Kumite because my mouth guard was way too big for me and it was hurting my mouth so when I talked with it in my mouth I sounded weird. For Kata I had my hopes up because I knew that I was best at this. But there was one Kata in particular that I really didn't want to have to do and that was Heian Godan. I didn't really like this Kata because of the jump, but unfortunately that was the exact Kata that I had to do. I still felt confident because I knew that every move I made I was doing it to the best of my ability and I felt like I was doing it correctly. So when I didn't win I was really disappointed and angry. For team Kata I felt a little more encouraged because I was in a team. In this event I won my first and only medal. I was very happy with my performance in this event because I know that my group and I trained really hard for this. Overall the entire experience from the day I arrived in Canada to the day I left was very enjoyable. I built new friendships and enjoyed all the times we went out to eat together as a group. I also learnt some tips to improve my performance and I look forward to the next tournament in three years time. And I was really happy how everyone on the Trinidad team helped and supported one another and showed a great deal of team work. I will work harder for the next tournament and hopefully earn myself more than one medal. Iyana Doyle (12 years)
Zanshin
15
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Congratulations & Welcome Back Team!
Trinidad and Tobago Team
Camp Attendees
A monthly newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association Editor-in-Chief: Simone Thorne-Mora Layout: Diana Francis Proof-reading: Sensei Richie Robertson Photos: Simone Thorne-Mora, others..
TKA Men’s Team
the October ISSUE‌ will resume Part 2 of Dojo training and continue to provide information on TTKU affiliations. Keep on reading!